After schools, petrol stations to go solar

MUSCAT: After successfully powering several schools in Oman with solar energy, the Sultanate will see solar-powered petrol stations this year.

The initiative comes from the Oman Oil marketing company, which intends to install solar panels to power its service stations in Burj Al Sahwa and Nimr.

Fitted on top of canopies, the panels will generate 40KWp. This project is driven by two local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and is scheduled to be completed by March 2018.

The downstream company further plans to install photovoltaic panels in four other service stations across Oman by the end of 2018 in an effort to reduce its carbon footprint, as part of its commitment to deploying sustainable and clean energy in its operations.

Earlier, Shell Oman Marketing initiated a campaign, “Solar in schools,” to power several schools around the country with solar energy. Shell plans to install solar PV generation systems in 22 public schools across the Sultanate over a five-year period. Currently, the campaign has successfully completed three solar schools in Nizwa, Al Buraimi and Salalah, and more are planned for this year.

The solar for petrol stations initiative joins a long list of environment preservation practices adopted by Oman Oil Marketing Company. The low carbon footprint is the result of its long-term dedication to sustainability, which includes green procedures and special training to drive its employees toward environmental sustainability. In addition, energy is conserved in its forecourts with LED lights that cut power consumption by over 40 per cent. The company has also installed an air monitoring system at the Mina Al Fahal refinery to measure and control emission levels.

David Kalife, CEO at Oman Oil Marketing Company, said, “As a home-grown organisation, it is our responsibility to support the Sultanate’s long-term renewable energy strategies and protect Oman’s environment.