Oman’s Strategic Push in Water and Circular Economy: What It Means for Investors and Entrepreneurs
MUSCAT, MAY 19 — The Sultanate of Oman is intensifying its efforts to enhance water security and environmental sustainability in line with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040. Increased investments in desalination, wastewater reuse, and circular economy initiatives are set to bolster long-term resilience and minimize environmental impact across vital sectors.
In an exclusive interview during Oman Sustainability Week 2026, Erwan Rouxel, Chief Executive Officer of Veolia Oman, emphasized Oman’s potential to become a regional leader in sustainable water and environmental management by expanding circular water solutions and low-carbon infrastructure.
“Oman has a strong foundation to become a regional benchmark by accelerating circular water solutions, decarbonised desalination, and resource recovery from waste and wastewater,” Rouxel stated.
He highlighted projects involving renewable-powered desalination and biogas-to-energy conversion as key to embedding sustainability within critical infrastructure, safeguarding natural resources, and enhancing climate resilience.
Water scarcity remains a significant challenge across the Gulf due to increasing demand driven by population growth, urbanization, and industrial development. Oman has responded with strategic investments in desalination plants, wastewater treatment facilities, and water infrastructure to ensure a reliable supply for communities and industries.
Rouxel pointed out that the next stage of Oman’s water strategy should emphasize scaling up wastewater reuse, improving network efficiency, and digitalising water management systems to optimize performance throughout the water cycle.
“Sustainable water management must evolve beyond supply security towards resource optimization,” he noted.
Desalination continues to be central to Oman’s water supply, especially in coastal regions where reliance on unconventional water resources is rising. However, the associated increase in energy demand calls for more energy-efficient and low-carbon desalination technologies.
“The future of desalination must combine performance with sustainability,” Rouxel explained. “This entails deploying energy-efficient technologies, integrating renewable energy, and optimizing operations through innovation and digital solutions.”
He cited Veolia Oman’s Al Sharqiyah Desalination Plant in Sur as an illustrative example, describing its solar energy project that reduces the carbon footprint of water production while ensuring dependable supply for local communities.
Oman is advancing circular economy initiatives involving wastewater reuse, waste recovery, and sustainable industrial practices. Environmental projects focused on converting waste into energy are increasingly integral to the country’s broader decarbonization strategy.
Highlighted projects include landfill gas-to-energy initiatives at Barka and Al Multaqa, developed by Veolia Oman in partnership with be’ah. These projects capture methane emissions from landfill sites and convert them into usable energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing waste management efficiency.
Looking ahead, Rouxel anticipates that sustainability will become deeply embedded in Oman’s urban and industrial development over the next decade. The adoption of low-carbon infrastructure, circular resource management, and smart environmental technologies is expected to enhance efficiency, resilience, and quality of life, supporting the nation’s economic diversification goals.
This transition aligns closely with Oman Vision 2040, which aims to create a sustainable, resource-efficient economy while ensuring responsible stewardship of Oman’s natural assets.
Erwan Rouxel, Chief Executive Officer of Veolia Oman, underscores the importance of this sustainable transformation in securing Oman’s environmental future.
تحليل خاص من عمانت | تصفح سوق عُمان
التركيز الاستراتيجي لسلطنة عمان على sustainable water management and circular economy initiatives presents significant opportunities for businesses to invest in renewable-powered desalination, wastewater reuse, and low-carbon technologies. Smart investors should consider the growing demand for energy-efficient, digitalized water solutions و waste-to-energy projects, which are poised to drive long-term resilience and align with Oman Vision 2040’s sustainability and economic diversification goals. This shift also signals potential risks for traditional high-energy water infrastructure, urging a transition towards innovation and environmental responsibility.
