Jindal Steel Duqm, a subsidiary of the Naveen Jindal Group, plans to commence operations at its 5 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) hydrogen-enabled green steel complex in Oman’s Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZAD) by December 2028, a company executive announced. The $3 billion (approximately ₹25,000 crore) project, developed in two phases, aims to be one of the world’s most advanced hydrogen-ready steel facilities, initially using natural gas with a transition to green hydrogen by 2033.
The complex will feature two 2.5 MTPA Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) modules, with the first operational by 2028 and the second by 2030, both engineered for hydrogen compatibility from the start. Jindal Steel Duqm has informed the Omani government of plans to inject 10–15% green hydrogen into the DRI process by 2035, phasing out natural gas as supply infrastructure matures. Green hydrogen will be sourced from renewable energy projects in Duqm, expected to be operational by 2033, aligning with Oman’s Vision 2040 for a green, circular economy.
Utilizing Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) technology and DRI, the plant will produce Hot Briquetted Iron (HBI) and DRI with an 85% lower carbon footprint than the global average, targeting demand from European steelmakers for low-emission materials in automotive, wind turbine, and consumer goods sectors. The project, under Vulcan Green Steel, is expected to save 12 million tonnes of CO2 annually and create over 2,000 jobs.
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A 2022 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Oman’s government and a land allocation agreement secured the project’s foundation, with construction beginning in November 2023 following a groundbreaking ceremony attended by Naveen Jindal and Omani officials. The facility, supported by a 600 MW solar plant and a partnership with Marafiq for utilities, positions Oman as a global hub for green steel and hydrogen industries.
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