The third international conference on harnessing technology began with a call to work towards the goal of making Oman an important player in the global renewable energy industry in the near future. The two-day conference organized by the Caledonian College of Engineering and PEIE under the patronage of Dr Mohammed bin Hamad Al Rumhi, Minister of Oil and Gas, opened at the Grand Hyatt with academia, researchers, industry and other stakeholders coming together to share knowledge.

Speaking on the occasion, Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Mahrouqi, chairman, Public Authority for Electricity and Water (PAEW), said, “If Oman is to maintain and build on the steady economic and social progress it enjoyed over the past 40 years or so, we must increasingly look to improve the efficiency of our energy utilization as well as take advantage of all the natural resources that we are blessed with.”

In his welcome address, Dr. P. Mohamed Ali, chairman, board of directors , Caledonian College of Engineering, said, “The Government of Oman is taking the initiative in reducing reliance on fossil fuels by implementing the concept of energy mix with alternative sources. “There are many challenges – scientific, technological, managerial and cost effectiveness – in harnessing alternative energy. Caledonian will continue to play an important role in ensuring energy security by adopting Green Technologies.”