Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) has opened a Sustainable Energy Research Centre Laboratory, backed by an investment of nearly RO1.5 million ($4 million), to strengthen research, innovation and national expertise in sustainable energy.

The laboratory was inaugurated under the auspices of Salim Al Aufi, Minister of Energy and Minerals.

Established through a strategic partnership between SQU and Oxy Oman, the facility covers approximately 774 square metres and will support the development of technologies and practical solutions for the energy sector.

The laboratory comprises specialised research units focusing on alternative fuels, energy materials, energy efficiency, thermal energy, carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS), and hydrogen.

It also includes facilities for modelling and simulating smart grids and renewable energy systems, alongside a studio dedicated to training and capacity building.

The opening coincided with the signing of an agreement between the Ministry of Energy and Minerals, represented by the Oman Sustainability Centre, and SQU to implement the second edition of the Kafa’a (Efficiency) training programme over three years.

Signed by Al Aufi and HH Sayyid Dr Fahad Al Julanda Al Said, Vice-Chancellor of SQU, the agreement aims to train 275 participants in energy auditing and 20 in measurement and verification.

It will also support at least three national teams, each comprising four members, to develop energy-efficiency solutions and establish specialised startups.

Al Aufi said investment in scientific research, innovation and national capacity building was a strategic pillar for improving the energy sector’s competitiveness and sustainability.

He highlighted the importance of cooperation between government, academia and industry in developing technologies and preparing Omani professionals to apply research outcomes.

He added that the laboratory and renewed Kafa’a programme would help create investment opportunities, strengthen entrepreneurship and local content, improve energy consumption efficiency and reduce emissions, supporting Oman Vision 2040 and the national target of net-zero emissions by 2050.

Prof Amer Saif Al Hinai, SQU’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Postgraduate Studies and Research, said the laboratory marked a significant step in cooperation between the university and national institutions.

Since its establishment in 2017, the Sustainable Energy Research Centre has completed around 61 research projects, attracted approximately RO2.39 million in research funding, and produced nearly 100 Scopus-indexed scientific papers, receiving more than 2,100 citations.

The centre has also helped qualify over 300 people in various energy fields.

Mohsin Al Jabri, Director General of the Oman Sustainability Centre, said Kafa’a would build a national pool of specialised professionals and strengthen energy-efficiency services.

The programme builds on its first edition, which trained 50 participants over six weeks. Of these, 38 obtained the Certified Energy Auditor qualification, representing a 76% success rate.

The second edition will combine classroom instruction, field training and professional certification, alongside support for entrepreneurial teams developing commercially viable energy-efficiency services. -OGN/TradeArabia News Service