Oman has launched its first microalgae cultivation project aimed at producing biofuels and reducing carbon emissions. This initiative, endorsed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Water Resources, in collaboration with three companies—Net Zero Solutions (NTZ), Al Tharmad Business and Services Company, and Green Gulf Industries—represents a significant step forward. With an investment of 9 million Omani Riyals, the project will develop microalgae farms across various regions of the country.
Advanced Photobioreactor Technology
At the heart of this project is the use of advanced photobioreactor technology, which enables the industrial-scale utilization of residual CO2, heat, and water for microalgae production. The project encompasses the construction of greenhouses equipped with photobioreactors, algae processing facilities, laboratories, and storage silos, with an anticipated annual biofuel production of 3,700 tonnes at full capacity.
Environmental and Economic Benefits
Sharifa Aidid, Chairperson and Founder of NTZ Solutions, emphasized the importance of using microalgae as a renewable feedstock for sustainable biodiesel production. She highlighted that this approach is one of the most effective methods for valorizing CO2, significantly contributing to global warming mitigation efforts. Mazin al Saadi, CEO of Al Tharmad Business & Services Company, described commercial-scale biodiesel production from microalgae as an excellent opportunity to assist other industries in their decarbonization efforts, and noted that the residual biomass could be used to produce bioplastics.
Source: Oman’s Innovative Microalgae Project, Leading in Biofuel Production – Oman Observer