Petroleum Development Oman's clean energy competition for SME open

Muscat: Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) can now propose clean energy initiatives through PDOs Estedama programme, a competition that will provide them with a platform to launch their ideas.
The competition is open to approximately 30,000 SMEs registered with Riyada—the Public Authority of Small and Medium Enterprise Development—to send out their proposals on three sectors; renewable energy, energy efficiency and energy saving projects. The top three SMEs will be awarded OMR5,000, OMR3,000 and OMR2,000, along with being given a chance to showcase their proposals to stakeholders.
“The competition is designed to raise awareness. Implementation of these plans will depend on the market’s willingness to accept such projects. However, the competition will act as a strong marketing tool for the winning company,” an official from PDO said.
Part of campaign
The Estedama competition is part of PDO’s Bea’tona campaign, which aims to raise awareness about a number of environmental aspects, including clean energy. SMEs registered with Riyada need to submit a one-page proposal describing their plan.
“PDO is a strong advocate of initiatives that will help sustain the environment and produce clean energy whenever possible. With our partners GlassPoint Solar, we are making great progress on the giant Miraah solar energy installation in southern Oman. And we are also currently installing solar panels in car parks at our headquarters, which will produce the energy to power key office complexes,” Said Al Harthy said.
A committee formed by representatives from PDO and Riyada will select the winning entries. The best six applicants will be asked to prepare a presentation to further explain the concept.
The ranking criteria will include elements, such as Return on Investments, Do-ability, Maturity, In Country Value and Green House Gas reductions.
“PDO is keen to boost economic diversification in Oman and incentivising SMEs like this is one way of doing that,” Al Harthy added.
The last date for submitting the proposals is September 30, 2017.