Oman Farmers Turn to Solar Energy to Reduce Costs and Improve Sustainability

Muscat:  The use of solar energy in agricultural and livestock projects is emerging as an effective solution for reducing operating costs and supporting environmental sustainability in the Sultanate of Oman, amid growing interest in renewable energy and the country’s abundance of solar resources.

Several agricultural and livestock project owners in Oman have begun adopting solar energy systems to operate farms, poultry facilities and fish farming projects, reflecting the economic and environmental benefits of clean energy solutions.

Eng. Mohsen Mohammed Al Mufarji, Renewable Energy Engineer at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, said that the ministry continues to encourage farmers, livestock breeders and investors to adopt renewable energy technologies, particularly solar energy systems.

He explained that the initiative supports sustainability goals and enhances resource efficiency by utilizing Oman’s high levels of solar radiation.

Al Mufarji noted that solar energy can be used to operate irrigation pumps, cooling systems and crop drying facilities in agricultural projects, contributing to production quality and operational continuity.

In the livestock sector, he said solar systems support the operation of ventilation, cooling and water pumping systems, helping provide stable production environments. In fish farming projects, solar energy can also power water pumps and aeration systems, especially in remote locations outside electricity grid coverage.

He added that the gradual adoption of solar energy represents a flexible economic option that reduces reliance on conventional power sources and lowers operational costs while contributing to reduced carbon emissions.

Al Mufarji called on farmers and investors to take practical steps toward adopting renewable energy solutions to support productive projects and achieve environmental and economic sustainability.

Meanwhile, Al Safa Foods Company has implemented one of Oman’s major solar energy projects within the food production sector.

Badr Abdullah Al Rashidi, Marketing Manager at Al Safa Foods Company, said the company’s photovoltaic solar energy project at its farm in Thumrait reflects its commitment to sustainability and production efficiency.

He explained that the project covers approximately 91,000 square metres within a farm area spanning 65 square kilometres and has a production capacity of seven megawatts.

The project includes 12,824 photovoltaic panels supported by a solar tracking system designed to maximize energy generation efficiency. It also includes 20 transformers with a capacity of 330 kilowatts each.

Al Rashidi said the project contributes to reducing carbon dioxide emissions by around 6,250 tonnes annually while supporting food security and sustainable production in Oman.

For his part, farmer Wael Rabee Al Rubaie from Al Suwaiq Wilayat said unused farm areas can be utilized for installing solar panels, allowing farmers to benefit from both land and energy resources.

He noted that Oman’s long sunlight hours during summer provide an important source of renewable energy capable of operating irrigation systems, desalination units, pumps and lighting systems, significantly reducing electricity expenses.

Rashid Salem Al Suhaimi, owner of Al Shater Orchard in Al Suwaiq, said his farm currently relies heavily on solar energy after installing a 25-kilowatt solar system with support from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources.

He explained that solar energy now covers between 60 and 70 percent of the farm’s electricity needs, supporting both agricultural and fish farming activities.

Al Suhaimi added that the project reduced monthly electricity costs from around RO 350 to between RO 120 and RO 150, improving the project’s economic feasibility.

In North A’Sharqiyah Governorate, poultry farm owner Mansour Nasser Al Sunaidi said his project relies on solar energy systems to operate cooling, hatching and ventilation systems continuously.

He explained that two solar power stations with a combined capacity of 60 kilowatts were installed, helping reduce electricity consumption by around 30 percent throughout the year.

Al Sunaidi added that the project plans to expand its use of solar energy through modern storage batteries capable of storing enough power to operate systems for several days without sunlight.