MUSCAT: Oman’s clean hydrogen development drive has gained international recognition with Hydrom joining the Hydrogen for Development Partnership (H4D), a global initiative led by the World Bank Group and its Energy Sector Management Assistance Programme (ESMAP) to accelerate the deployment of hydrogen and its derivatives in emerging markets and developing economies.
Established in 2022, Hydrom is the central entity mandated to master plan and enable the growth of Oman’s green hydrogen industry, supporting the Sultanate of Oman’s ambition to become a leading producer and exporter of renewable hydrogen and its derivatives. Its role covers the design of the hydrogen sector framework, management of large-scale project auctions, coordination of shared infrastructure development and facilitation of an integrated ecosystem aligned with Oman Vision 2040 and the country’s 2050 net-zero target.
“Through this collaboration, we look forward to strengthening knowledge exchange and supporting the deployment of hydrogen and its derivatives across emerging markets and developing economies”, said Dolf Gielen, Senior Energy Economist and Lead for Hydrogen and Industry at the World Bank.
The Energy Sector Management Assistance Programme (ESMAP) is a World Bank-administered global knowledge and technical assistance programme that supports countries in advancing sustainable energy transitions, including renewable energy, energy efficiency and clean hydrogen.
Through H4D, ESMAP brings together public and private sector stakeholders to share expertise, build capacity and help emerging hydrogen markets overcome technical, policy and investment challenges.
Hydrom’s membership of H4D provides Oman with a platform to strengthen global knowledge exchange, access international expertise and engage with governments, development institutions and industry stakeholders shaping the future of the hydrogen economy.
The partnership is expected to support Oman’s efforts to develop bankable hydrogen projects, establish international supply chains and accelerate investment in green hydrogen and derivative products such as green ammonia, e-methanol and sustainable fuels.
The global green hydrogen industry is transitioning from the planning phase to early commercial deployment, with governments and developers advancing large-scale projects aimed at decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors such as steel, shipping, chemicals and heavy transport. However, the sector continues to face challenges, including high production costs, the need for renewable energy infrastructure, limited offtake commitments and the development of international hydrogen trade corridors.
Oman is positioning itself among the emerging leaders in this market, leveraging its abundant renewable energy resources, strategic location between major energy markets and established industrial infrastructure. Under Hydrom’s leadership, the Sultanate of Oman has awarded multiple large-scale hydrogen blocks and attracted billions of dollars in planned investments, with projects targeting production of green hydrogen and derivatives for both domestic industries and export markets.
