Oman's Solar DAC Push Signals Next Phase of Middle East CCUS

Oman’s Project Moringa commissions its first DAC unit, testing modular carbon removal and laying groundwork for future solar-powered, permanent storage

28 Oct 2025

Oman has commissioned its first direct air capture (DAC) unit, marking a step from design to early deployment in the Gulf’s evolving carbon capture sector.

Project Moringa, located in Mahdha and developed by Sirona Technologies, is designed to remove carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere rather than from industrial exhaust streams. The initiative is part of broader efforts across the Middle East to expand carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) beyond traditional applications linked to oil and gas.

According to Carbon Herald, the project’s first DAC unit has now entered operation. The initial system is not expected to remove carbon at commercial scale. Instead, it will generate operational data on performance and reliability in Oman’s desert climate, where high temperatures and dust pose technical challenges.

Sirona’s longer-term plan centres on modular expansion and the integration of solar power. The company aims to deploy repeatable capture units that can be added over time, reducing the need for a single large capital outlay. Full reliance on solar energy remains a stated objective, though it has yet to be achieved.

The project also draws on Oman’s geological potential. As reported by Oman Observer, Project Moringa is linked to research into local rock formations that could enable permanent carbon storage through mineralisation. This process converts captured carbon dioxide into solid material, offering a durable storage pathway that can support verification requirements in voluntary and compliance carbon markets. Such storage capacity, however, remains part of the project’s future roadmap.

Direct air capture is widely viewed as one of the more costly and energy-intensive forms of carbon removal. Its commercial viability will depend on lower costs, supportive policy frameworks and reliable storage options.

For Gulf economies seeking to balance climate commitments with industrial growth, early-stage projects such as Moringa provide a test case. While still experimental, they signal a shift in regional CCUS efforts from feasibility studies towards operational trials and technology validation.