PDO Majlis calls for energy efficiency action plan

Muscat: The latest Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) Majlis stakeholder engagement session has called for a national action plan with clear strategies, policies and projects to boost energy efficiency in the Sultanate.
The theme of the session, which was under the auspices of Eng. Salim bin Nasser Al Aufi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Oil and Gas, was “Energy Efficiency: Challenges and Aspirations.”
Experts said the energy blueprint should include a dedicated organisation to implement measures to reduce power consumption, as well as progress reporting and monitoring systems to ensure greater sustainability.
The wide-ranging dialogue also covered the integral role of energy efficiency as being good business, in terms of reducing costs, and in the nation’s energy transition from its reliance on fossil fuels to a greater use of renewables, such as solar and wind.
The interactive panel debate, and question and answer session, covered areas such as the emerging technical and strategic challenges in energy efficiency and demand management, as well as latest developments and possible opportunities.
More than 120 people, including key public and private sector decision makers, oil and gas industry professionals, entrepreneurs, academics, researchers and students attended the event, which was held at the Crowne Plaza Muscat.
Guest speakers included Birger Lauersen, Vice President of Euroheat and Power, Eng. Abdullah Al Badi, Chief Executive Officer of the National Electricity Centre, and Aiman Al Shukaili, Head of Renewable Energy at PDO.
The session was moderated by Ibrahim Al Waili, Head of Business Planning in PDO’s Gas Directorate.
The panelists discussed the importance of embracing energy-efficient behaviour, the possibility of reviewing subsidies to ensure they are targeted to those who really need them, and liberalising the energy supply market to guarantee greater competition and proper pricing.
“For PDO, energy efficiency is central to our business model and sustainability and we are currently leading the way in Oman in building momentum for energy management and renewables through project execution, seeking opportunities and capacity building,” said PDO External Affairs and Communication Manager Mohammed Al Ghareebi.
All lessons and recommendations discussed during the event will be passed on to Omani policy makers, along with those stemming from a joint European Union-PDO workshop which preceded the Majlis.
Other topics covered in previous PDO Majlis sessions across the Sultanate have included Energy Management, In-Country Value and Collaborative Social Investment.