Invest Oman, the government’s investment facilitation body, is promoting a new Agri-Solar project to attract international investors. The project aims to combine food production with renewable energy generation. It is planned to cover 300 acres and requires an investment of RO 61.5 million.
The technology will be provided by V-Plus Agritech, a Singapore-based company specializing in circular agriculture and vertical aquaponics farming. The project will integrate solar energy with agricultural production to optimize land use.
Invest Oman stated that the project is part of a broader effort to improve food security and economic sustainability. It described the initiative as a move toward self-sufficiency in food production while also creating investment opportunities in the renewable energy and agriculture sectors.
According to Invest Oman, the project will scale up an urban aquaponics system developed by V-Plus Agritech for commercial farming. The agri-solar park will combine solar panels with agricultural activities, potentially allowing for crop cultivation, livestock farming, or aquaponics under or around the solar panels. The project is also expected to create jobs in farming and aquaculture.
Agri-solar, or agrivoltaics, is a system that enables land to be used for both farming and energy production. This approach helps maximize the use of arable land while reducing the environmental impact of traditional farming. It also supports energy efficiency by using solar panels to provide shade, which can reduce water evaporation and improve growing conditions.
Oman has been integrating renewable energy into its agricultural sector. Last year, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Water Resources (MAFWR) launched a program to install 55 independent 10kW solar systems to power farms in North Batinah. This was part of the Mustadeem program, which promotes sustainable farming practices.
