Simon Wilson

Anticipating growth in energy transition sectors in Oman and sustainable solutions for ecotourism in Saudi Arabia, 5OES has an extremely optimistic outlook for the coming years.

In which sectors has 5OES been focusing its services to align with environmental impact assessment?

Our primary focus remains on larger projects. Typically, we partner with international consultants to deliver EIAs, either as a standalone project or as an integrated component of the master planning service provided by the partnership. As an example, in Oman, we have been working with WS Atkins (now called Atkins Realis) to deliver a master plan for a mixed-use development in Jebel Akhdar, sponsored by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning, and our work specifically focused on the environmental assessment. Another notable example of a significant business opportunity in Oman involves large-scale renewable energy development combined with hydrogen production, so-called green hydrogen projects. Much of our attention in this regard is directed toward Al Wusta, with Duqm Port serving as the export terminal for energy products. We are actively engaged with four or five such projects that are at various stages of development and inquiry. One of the most advanced among these is Hyport Duqm, a significant renewable energy project integrated with hydrogen and ammonium production intended for export through Duqm Port. This aligns with the typical project landscape we encounter in Oman. Meanwhile, in Saudi Arabia, the primary focus for our marine business revolves around the giga projects that currently dominate the KSA market. These include NEOM, Red Sea Global, and a few other emerging organizations.

What other projects has 5OES participated in recently?

Large-scale hydrogen projects are a very significant strategic initiative for Oman—they are a vital part of the energy transition which is aimed at diversifying the economy away from pure oil and gas and toward a more diversified energy mix. Oman possesses remarkable credentials and resource potential for large-scale hydrogen production, not least due to its strategic geographic location. It is truly an exciting prospect for the country arising from a combination of abundant land and ample renewable resources, including both wind and solar energy. Additionally, Duqm Port serves as the primary channel through which the energy products will be exported. Renewable energy and hydrogen represent the most significant large-scale projects currently unfolding in Oman.

What recent case studies can you share regarding 5OES’s involvement in sustainable solutions for ecotourism?

Our primary role in this endeavor involves providing advisory services. We also engage in delivering bespoke high-end tours to specialized tour companies, particularly in the realm of nature-based tourism. For instance, we actively participate in guided tours that include whale and dolphin watching and turtle watching. One of the significant benefits of our experience lies in our understanding of eco-tourism operations, which provides real insight that informs our advisory services in this niche. We have successfully extended our service offering in Saudi Arabia to include eco-tourism. For example, we recently took part in a consultancy project for NEOM, focusing on regenerative nature-based tourism, a concept that NEOM is eager to promote. It not only encompasses nature-based tourism, but also emphasizes positive outcomes arising from these tourism activities. These outcomes may include active participation in conservation efforts, such as the rehabilitation of coral reefs, as well as monitoring or replanting corals in the breakwaters of newly constructed marinas.

What is the overall outlook for the future of 5OES?

We currently operate in four GCC markets: Oman, UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. In Oman, there are promising opportunities, especially in the energy transition sector, including renewables and hydrogen. Foreign direct investment is flowing into these sectors, with significant licenses awarded to companies by Hydrom. These projects will greatly stimulate the Omani economy, and we anticipate this strategic initiative to contribute substantially to our project workload. Saudi Arabia accounts for 50% of the GCC economy, and we see robust growth potential in Saudi Arabia, particularly in coastal projects that prioritize biodiversity, natural capital and sustainable development practices. We are committed to participating in these projects and look forward to ongoing involvement for many years to come.