‘Landmark’ deal to establish green hydrogen supply chain between Belgium and Oman

Collaboration between Belgium and Oman has been strengthened with a new memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by the Belgian Hydrogen Council, a representative of the country’s hydrogen ecosystem, and Hydrom, an entity orchestrating Oman’s national interest in green hydrogen.

Described as a ‘landmark MoU’, the agreement was signed during the visit of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman to the Port House in Antwerp, Belgium, on December 5, 2024.

According to the Belgian Hydrogen Council, the partnership aims to foster collaboration between Belgium and Oman by facilitating joint research and industrial partnerships and establishing a robust regulatory framework to support hydrogen import and distribution.

The MoU builds on previous agreements, including the Hyport Duqm project being developed by Belgian offshore energy and dredging contractor DEME, Omani energy company OQ, and, as of recently, UK energy major BP.

DEME and partners plan the production of green hydrogen to green ammonia to be powered by both wind and solar energy, with a combined capacity of approximately 1.3 GW under Phase 1 and potentially more than 2.7 GW upon completion of Phase 2.

The downstream operations plan is to be fully integrated with the infrastructure at the Port of Duqm to handle green molecules and channel them for export into European and Asian markets.

The Belgian Hydrogen Council noted that the latest MoU underlines the strategic importance of Belgium as a gateway for green hydrogen into the European Union (EU) and Oman’s abundant renewable energy resources and infrastructure potential.

Tom Hautekiet, Chairman of the Belgian Hydrogen Council, said: “This agreement represents a significant step forward in strengthening our cooperation with Oman, a key partner in the global hydrogen supply chain. By leveraging Oman’s competitive renewable energy resources and Belgium’s strategic position as a hydrogen hub for Europe, we are creating a powerful platform for innovation, investment, and growth in the hydrogen economy. Together, we aim to build a sustainable energy future, unlocking new opportunities for our industries, researchers, and policymakers.”

Salim Al Aufi, Minister of Energy and Minerals and Chairman of Hydrom Oman, commented: “This MoU represents a defining moment in the partnership between the Sultanate of Oman and the Kingdom of Belgium, advancing our shared ambition to shape the future of the global hydrogen economy. Oman’s potential capacity as a hub for green hydrogen production, combined and Belgium’s role as a promising hydrogen-based industrial hub and strategic connection point to the European market, will strengthen energy security and create a seamless hydrogen supply chain. Together, we aim to accelerate the world’s transition to clean energy by fostering innovation and building the infrastructure needed to connect producers and markets worldwide.”

In March 2024, Oman’s Hydrom also teamed up with Germany’s gas group VNG to examine the economic potential of building a green hydrogen and ammonia value chain between the two countries.

When it comes to partnerships with other European countries, it is worth noting that The Sultanate, together with Port of Amsterdam, Zenith Energy Terminals, and GasLog, is studying the development of a liquid hydrogen supply chain that will deliver Omani green hydrogen to Amsterdam and onwards to Europe.