Green Hydrogen Landscape in the Middle East: Oman’s Tenders and South Korean Alliances

This presentation provides a strategic overview of the Green Hydrogen landscape in the Middle East as of May 2026, with a deep dive into Oman’s sector-leading tender rounds and the specific participation of South Korean industrial leaders.

I. Strategic Vision: The Middle East as a Global H2 Hub

The Middle East has pivoted from a fossil-fuel-dependent economy to a “Green Energy Gateway.”

• Oman: National target of 1 million tons per annum (MTPA) by 2030, leveraging the world’s most advanced centralized auction system (Hydrom).
• Saudi Arabia: Home to the world’s largest integrated commercial project (NEOM), now nearing final commissioning.
• UAE: Focusing on high-tech integration, such as the Khalifa Economic Zones (KEZAD) and hydrogen-to-ammonia corridors for European export.

II. Oman’s Key Tender Rounds & Selected Consortia

Oman’s hydrogen strategy is executed through Hydrom, which manages land allocation and project selection.

📂 Phase A: Round 1 (Awarded June 2023)

Focus: Duqm Region (Special Economic Zone)

Project / Block	Lead Companies	Key Objectives
Amnah Consortium	CIP (Denmark), Blue Power Partners	200 KTPA output for green steel production in Duqm.
BP Duqm SPC	BP (UK)	150 KTPA output for ammonia production and export.
Green Energy Oman (GEO)	Shell, OQ, EnerTech (Kuwait)	Large-scale 150 KTPA ammonia-for-export project.
HyDuqm (K-Consortium)	POSCO, Samsung E&A, ENGIE	220 KTPA output; largest overseas project for Korean firms.

📂 Phase A: Round 2 (Awarded 2024)

Focus: Dhofar/Salalah Region

• EDF-J Power-Yamna: A massive 4.5 GW solar/wind integrated project aiming for 178,000 tons of H2 per year for a new ammonia plant in the Salalah Free Zone.
• Actis-Fortescue: Focused on construction of 4.5 GW renewable capacity to power electrolyzers for 200,000 tons of H2 per year.

III. Spotlight: South Korean Industrial Participation

South Korea has secured a dominant position in the Omani and Saudi markets, utilizing a “Total Value Chain” approach.

1. The POSCO & Samsung E&A Joint Venture (Hydrogen Duqm)

As of 2026, the Hydrogen Duqm LLC has been established to execute the $7 billion project.

• Consortium Shares: POSCO Holdings (44.8%), Samsung E&A (19.2%), with ENGIE, PTTEP, and Korean power utilities (KWP, KSP).
• Strategic Role: This project serves as a captive supply line for POSCO’s Hydrogen Reduction Steelmaking and Korean hydrogen co-firing power plants.

2. Doosan Enerbility: The Equipment & EPC Powerhouse

While not leading a primary production consortium in Oman, Doosan is the region’s preferred technology and EPC partner.

• Turbine Leadership: Doosan is currently the No. 1 supplier of ultra-large combined cycle steam turbines in the Middle East (specifically Saudi Arabia’s PP12 and Rumah/Nairyah projects).
• Hydrogen Tech: Doosan is providing specialized equipment including hydrogen-fueled turbines and liquefaction facilities, positioning itself as a core equipment vendor for the surviving Omani hydrogen blocks.

IV. Regional Competitor Update (May 2026)

Country	Project Status	Key Update
Saudi Arabia	NEOM (NGHC)	90% Complete. On track for product availability in 2027. Air Products has secured 100% offtake.
UAE	Masdar / KEZAD	Pivoting toward Data Center Power. In late 2025, Masdar redirected some renewable capacity toward AI infrastructure while maintaining core H2 export goals.

V. Current Market Reality (2026 Outlook)

The Demand Constraint: While Oman has built the most advanced “Supply” system, the global market is facing an “Offtake Gap.”

💡 Strategic Fiscal Response: In response to this gap, the Omani government announced a $3.6 billion incentive package in 2026 to lower land fees and royalties to ensure project bankability.

• Expert Takeaway: The “survivors” in this market are projects with locked-in offtakers (like the POSCO-led Korean consortium). For investors, the focus has shifted from “who can produce it” to “who has a contract to buy it.”