Omani plant to provide aluminium for solar hub

Through its partnership with National Aluminium Products Company (NAPCO), Oman’s largest aluminium provider, Glasspoint Solar continues to generate sustainable in-country value (ICV) within the Sultanate. Building the Miraah solar plant with Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), Glasspoint is committed to developing a solar hub in Oman and contributing to the country’s economic diversification.

“We are proud to be partnering with NAPCO in developing our ‘Made in Oman’ solar supply chain. Creating opportunities for local companies and contractors is part of our growth strategy within the Sultanate. Together with our partners, we are working to establish Oman as an industrial hub for renewable energy,” said Steven Moss, Glasspoint’s Chief Executive Officer.

Since breaking ground on Miraah, Glasspoint has been working to qualify Omani suppliers for elements of the project, including the large curved structures that support the mirrors. These structures are built from aluminium extrusions made with precision machining at NAPCO’S facility and assembled at the project site by local contractors. Once installed, the mirrors automatically track the sun throughout the day focusing sunlight on steel pipes filled with water. The heat from the sun boils the water to produce high pressure steam that is injected into the reservoir to help extract heavy oil.

Moss added, “Glasspoint no longer needs to import all the aluminium materials from Europe or Asia and is actively working with NAPCO to qualify them for additional components. We are increasingly looking for opportunities to build national capacities and maximise the project’s supply and manufacturing here in Oman. As we expand in the region, these Omani made materials could be exported for use in future projects”.

Ihab Mouallem, Chief Executive Officer at NAPCO said, “Collaborating with Glasspoint, we have expanded our opportunity to provide them with aluminium materials used throughout their solar thermal technology. The partnership between us has not only created jobs but has positively impacted Oman when it comes to growing the manufacturing sector and adding long-lasting value to the country.”