Desert art and solar energy in Oman

Oman is increasingly becoming a key player in the global push towards renewable energy, leveraging its vast desert landscapes to harness solar power. Look to the Ibri Solar Project, a 500 MW capacity plant that underscores the nation’s commitment to diversifying its energy sources and reducing its carbon footprint and diversifying away from oil.

Highlighting this beautiful scene is the French-Swiss artist Saype who laid out a mural of hope in the sands of the Wahiba Desert. With an overall area of 11,250 square meters, this artwork was created using biodegradable pigments made out of charcoal and chalk. This work questions us about our relationship to energy, and the new solutions to get out of fossil fuels.

The Ibri Solar Project, located in Al Dhahirah Governorate, is a cornerstone of Oman’s renewable energy strategy. Operational since early 2021, it represents a significant leap in the nation’s quest to derive 30% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030.

The plant, covering an area of 1,300 hectares, features over 1.4 million solar panels and is expected to produce approximately 1,500 GWh of clean electricity annually. This is sufficient to power around 50,000 homes and reduce CO2 emissions by about 340,000 tons per year, equivalent to taking nearly 70,000 cars off the road