Renewable Energy in Oman: Evaluating Current Realities, Future Visions, and Sustainable Development Goals

Like many oil-exporting countries, the Sultanate of Oman has implemented fuel subsidies to ensure affordable energy prices for its citizens to support economic development and social welfare. However, challenges such as prolonged declines in oil prices and fiscal pressures have raised questions about the efficacy and sustainability of these subsidies. Oman’s overdependence on oil exports challenges sustainable economic growth. This research explores the fuel subsidy reforms in Oman, focusing on their economic and environmental implications and their interplay with renewable energy. Through a bibliometric examination from 2013 to 2023, we analyzed emerging trends in research publications, indicating an increasing scholarly interest in this area. Furthermore, we explored Oman’s distinct socio-economic context, historical foundations, and policy landscape regarding fuel subsidies while evaluating recent fiscal reforms and their implications. Our findings underscore the paramount role of subsidy reforms in shaping Oman’s economic trajectory and fostering sustainability, particularly through the prism of renewable energy integration. Additionally, we identify critical gaps in the existing literature and propose avenues for future research. This study offers valuable insights into Oman’s transition towards a low-carbon economy, elucidating opportunities and challenges in economic diversification and environmental sustainability, notably within the renewable energy framework.