Muscat: Located in Muscat, the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC) has officially launched its solar rooftop initiative in partnership with TotalEnergies Renewables Distributed Generation Middle East & Africa, supported by the OMRAN Group. Since early 2025, the project has been operational, providing the venue with sustainable solar energy.
The contract for this initiative was finalized in March 2024, and construction swiftly followed. Remarkably, the installation features 8,300 advanced solar photovoltaic (PV) panels that cover 16,600 square meters of the rooftops of the Atrium and Exhibition Halls at OCEC. To give an idea of size, this footprint is comparable to 63 tennis courts or two full-sized football fields, now equipped with high-efficiency solar panels.
Created to notably lessen the venue’s carbon emissions, the solar system is anticipated to prevent about 3,300 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year, which surpasses 72,000 tonnes of avoided emissions during the project's lifespan. Alongside meeting approximately 25% of the OCEC's overall energy requirements, the PV modules will additionally provide benefits by reducing indoor temperatures through shade and safeguarding the roof from sunlight and rain, which further enhances energy efficiency.
This project marks a significant advancement in OCEC’s broader commitment to sustainability, aligning with Oman’s goals for Net Zero by 2050. It adds to various ongoing initiatives such as achieving LEED Gold certification for the venue, establishing a biodiverse garden, consistent food donation efforts, an effective waste recycling program, and collaborating with local suppliers and small-medium enterprises to implement additional sustainability measures.
Regarding the launch, Eng. Said Al Shanfari, CEO of the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre, stated: “This initiative signifies a significant achievement in our pursuit of becoming a more sustainable venue. It positively impacts our local surroundings while strategically addressing the increasing demand from international event planners for eco-friendly and future-ready destinations. This project also showcases the power of collaboration: working with TotalEnergies Renewables Distributed Generation Middle East & Africa has allowed us to implement a solution that is both highly efficient and impactful, custom-fit to meet our venue's specific needs. ”
Hamady SY, Managing Director of TotalEnergies Renewables Distributed Generation Middle East & Africa, added: “We take pride in helping to provide clean energy to prominent exhibition centers like OCEC, aiding in the pursuit of a sustainable future for Oman. This partnership represents a progressive step toward enhancing renewable energy use in the region. ”
The system has commenced its function of reducing emissions while supplying green energy for events at the Centre. Numerous events hosted at OCEC will benefit from this initiative, including the upcoming Oman Sustainability Week, scheduled for 12–15 May 2025, which will utilize this renewable energy source partially.
