Oman plans 6 GW solar cell, module factory

Oman is planning to build an integrated solar cell and module facility with an annual capacity of 6 GW.

The project is one of 105 announced by the country’s sovereign wealth fund, Future Fund Oman (FFO), earlier this week. 

The total list of projects, which span the renewable energy, manufacturing, tourism, healthcare, medical technologies, innovation and food industries, have been given strategic importance as Oman looks to accelerate its economic diversification.

According to a statement released by the Oman Investment Authority (OIA), the 6 GW cell and module manufacturing facility will be located in the Sohar Freezone. It has been billed as “the first of its kind in the Middle East and a cornerstone of localizing the solar value chain.”

Further details on the manufacturing facility are yet to be released. OIA says the 105 strategic projects will be backed by $585 million in commitments from FFO with around $458 million in local investment. The portfolio has been valued at $1.74 billion in total.

The list of strategic projects also includes the Gallant Industrial Project, which is set to produce 66,000 tonnes of lithium ion phosphate cathode material annually. OIA says the manufacturing of lithium ion phosphate will link Oman to “the fast-growing clean energy and storage markets.”

Oman has been investing in its own domestic solar supply chain over the past years. The country’s flagship polysilicon factory, also located in the Sohar Freezone, is currently the largest of its kind outside of China since commencing operations earlier this year. 

Project developers United Solar announced completion of the $1.6 billion funding required for the factory earlier this month.