Harnessing the Power of Green Trends and Climate-Friendly Policies, Part 3 of a Multi-part Series

In 2023, the UK was able to reduce the share of fossil fuels in its power supplies to just 33% through a combination of strategies:

Expansion of Renewable Energy: The UK has seen a rapid expansion of renewable energy, which has increased six-fold since 2008. This includes wind, solar, and hydroelectric power. In 2023, renewables made up 43% of the country’s total electricity supplies.

Reduction in Electricity Demand: The demand for electricity in the UK has decreased by 21% since 2008. This is due to a combination of more efficient appliances and lighting, high prices driven by expensive gas, and changes in the UK’s economic structure as it transitions toward a more service-oriented economy, moving away from a predominantly manufacturing-focused one.

Decrease in Coal and Gas Usage: Over the last 15 years, the use of coal for electricity generation has dropped by 97%, and gas usage has decreased by 45%.

The UK government’s offshore wind project stands as a shining beacon in their clean energy strategy. This groundbreaking scheme is all set to tap into the colossal potential of the UK’s wind resources.

By implementing these strategies, the UK aims to generate up to 40 gigawatts of power by 2030, enough to meet more than 100% of the UK’s electricity demand. This project also provides a great opportunity for the UK economy, as it creates thousands of jobs, supports local businesses, and attracts foreign investment.

In Oman, a strategic and forward-looking vision has been developed by the Omani government. The vision is to transform Oman into a green energy hub that can produce, store, and export clean fuels, such as hydrogen and ammonia, to regional and global markets. Among the most important and challenging initiatives of the Omani government’s green energy hub strategy are its green hydrogen projects, which aim to leverage Oman’s natural resources, such as solar, wind, and natural gas, to produce green hydrogen, which is made from renewable energy or natural gas through carbon capture and utilization. It’s a versatile, clean fuel that can be used for various applications, such as power generation, transportation, industry, and export. An example of such a project is Green Energy Oman (GEO), initiated in 2018.

In April 2024, Hydrom, Oman’s green hydrogen orchestrator, announced the signing of two new hydrogen projects in Dhofar worth $11 billion. These initiatives are expected to bring Oman’s total hydrogen production to 1.38 million tons per year by 2030. In 2022, Oman set a goal to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. The country aims to significantly ramp up domestic production of hydrogen from renewable electricity.