DEME Concessions Planning Green Hydrogen Project in Duqm

Belgian engineering group DEME Concessions, along with its Omani partners, is planning to set up a large-scale solar and wind-powered hydrogen production project in Duqm.

DEME last week announced its plans and exclusive partnership with unnamed Omani partners to develop a world leading green hydrogen plant in Duqm. ‘The facility will significantly contribute to the decarbonization of the regional chemical industry in Oman, as well as providing green hydrogen and/or derivatives (such as green methanol or ammonia) to international customers in Europe, for example in the Port of Antwerp,' DEME said on its website.

The company said that the envisaged electrolyser capacity for a first phase is estimated between 250MW and 500MW. ‘Following this first phase, upscaling of the installation is foreseen. The advantage of the location in Duqm is the availability of cheap renewable energy (solar and wind), as well as large, accessible sites (on- and offshore).’

Together with Port of Antwerp International, DEME Concessions is already active in Duqm through a participation in the Port of Duqm Company. If hydrogen is produced with electricity by means of electrolysis, no CO2 is released in the process. However, the hydrogen produced can only be called ‘green’ if renewable electricity is used in the process. The first phase of the project will comprise an in-depth feasibility study – coordinated by the global consulting firm Roland Berger.

The feasibility phase will be followed by the detailed design and engineering, further project development and finalization of offtake routes and financing, DEME said. ‘A final investment decision for the commercial scale demonstration project is expected during 2021,’ the company added.