First Wind Turbine Installed at PDO’s Riyah-2 Project: What This Means for Investment and Business Growth in Oman’s Renewable Energy Sector
Leading Chinese wind turbine manufacturer Goldwind has successfully installed the first wind turbine at the Riyah-2 wind farm project in Nimr West, Dhofar Governorate. This marks the initial step in a cluster of 18 turbines designed to support the decarbonisation efforts of Petroleum Development Oman’s (PDO) oil and gas operations.
Together with the nearly completed Riyah-1 project at nearby Amin, Riyah-2 will contribute to a combined generation capacity of 234 MW, establishing this as the largest wind energy initiative in Oman to date.
Goldwind described the installation of the first turbine at Riyah-2 as a major construction milestone for Oman’s largest wind power project. The wind farm, positioned in the high-wind areas of Dhofar and Al Wusta, will provide clean electricity to PDO, aiding the decarbonisation of its oil and gas activities and supporting Oman Vision 2040 and the country’s net-zero targets. The project is expected to reduce CO₂ emissions by approximately 740,000 tonnes annually.
Both Riyah-1 and Riyah-2 are being developed by a joint venture between OQ Alternative Energy (51%), a fully owned subsidiary of OQ, and TotalEnergies (49%). The renewable energy produced by these wind farms, together with that from the North Oman Solar IPP project in PDO’s Block 6 license area, will be supplied to PDO under long-term Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). Ownership and operational responsibilities for the projects lie with the OQAE–TotalEnergies JV throughout the duration of these agreements.
The Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contractor for the wind farm projects is Huadong Engineering Corporation, a subsidiary of PowerChina. Goldwind is supplying 36 GWH-182 series high-efficiency turbines, specifically designed to withstand Oman’s desert climate.
Goldwind emphasized their commitment to sustainable energy, stating, “We are building green infrastructure to power traditional industries, proving that renewables are key to a low-carbon future. Our GWH-182/6.5MW turbines meet the stringent safety and technical standards required by the oil and gas sector and are successfully meeting the challenges presented by Salalah’s environment.”
The Riyah-1 and Riyah-2 wind farms are expected to become operational by the fourth quarter of this year.
Special Analysis by Omanet | Navigate Oman’s Market
The successful installation of the first turbine at Oman’s largest wind project marks a pivotal step in integrating renewable energy into traditional oil and gas sectors, signaling a strategic shift towards decarbonisation aligned with Oman Vision 2040. For businesses, this opens significant opportunities in green infrastructure and sustainable energy partnerships, while investors should focus on the evolving renewable energy market as it gains government and industry support. Smart entrepreneurs should consider leveraging the expanding clean energy ecosystem, particularly in collaboration with key players like OQ Alternative Energy and TotalEnergies.
