Future Fund Oman backs 6 GW solar cell and module factory, billed as the first integrated plant in the Middle East
Future Fund Oman is backing a 6 GW integrated solar cell and module factory in Sohar Freezone, part of a $1.74 billion package of 105 strategic projects.
Photo by Michael Li on Pexels
Future Fund Oman (FFO), the sovereign wealth vehicle managed by the Oman Investment Authority (OIA), announced on July 16, 2026 a $1.744 billion package of 105 strategic projects that includes an integrated solar manufacturing facility with an annual capacity of 6 GW in the Sohar Freezone. The OIA describes the plant as “the first of its kind in the Middle East and a cornerstone of localizing the solar value chain,” according to pv magazine Global’s report of July 17, 2026.
A 6 GW plant in the Sohar Freezone
The 105 projects span renewable energy, manufacturing, tourism, healthcare, medical technologies, innovation and food, and have been designated as strategically important as Oman works to diversify its economy away from oil and gas. The OIA says the portfolio will be backed by $585 million in commitments from FFO, with around $458 million in local investment; the total portfolio is valued at $1.744 billion.
The package also includes the Gallant Industrial Project, which is set to produce 66,000 tonnes of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cathode material annually. The OIA states this will link Oman to “the fast-growing clean energy and storage markets.” Further details on the solar facility, including a construction timeline, have not yet been released.
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Strategic projects announced | 105 |
| Total portfolio value | $1.744 billion |
| Future Fund Oman commitments | $585 million |
| Local investment | Around $458 million |
| Solar plant annual capacity | 6 GW (cells); 3 GW (modules, per PV Tech) |
| Location | Sohar Freezone, Oman |
| LFP cathode material (Gallant Industrial Project) | 66,000 tonnes per year |
| Future Fund Oman total fund size | $5.2 billion |
Source: Oman Investment Authority / Future Fund Oman announcement of July 16, 2026, as reported by pv magazine Global and PV Tech.
Cell and module capacity: what the sources report
Coverage of the plant’s exact configuration differs between outlets. pv magazine Global, citing the OIA statement, describes a “6 GW cell and module manufacturing facility.” PV Tech and Energetica India report the facility will produce 6 GW of solar cells and 3 GW of solar modules annually, and name Orion Solar as the developer, details pv magazine did not include. The OIA has not yet published a technical breakdown that resolves the difference, so the module line’s final capacity remains to be confirmed.
An integrated cell and module plant would place Oman among the few countries outside China building the full crystalline-silicon value chain in one location. Solar manufacturing capacity remains heavily concentrated in China, and diversification projects of this scale are closely watched by markets tracking the record growth in global renewable energy capacity reported by IRENA.
Oman’s wider solar manufacturing push
The Sohar plant is not an isolated bet. Oman’s flagship polysilicon factory, built by United Solar Polysilicon in the same Sohar Freezone, began operations earlier in 2026 and is currently the largest plant of its kind outside China, with a planned output of 100,000 metric tons of solar-grade polysilicon per year, enough for around 40 GW of module production annually. United Solar announced completion of the $1.6 billion funding required for the factory on July 13, 2026, according to pv magazine Global. Large-scale solar industrial projects are also advancing elsewhere in the region and beyond, such as the China solar-hydrogen storage project that couples generation with storage and fuels.
About Future Fund Oman
Future Fund Oman was established under the Oman Investment Authority as a $5.2 billion vehicle to channel capital into Oman’s economic diversification, co-investing with local and international partners in sectors from manufacturing to tourism. The fund’s July 16, 2026 announcement of $1.744 billion across 105 strategic projects, including the 6 GW solar cell and module facility and the 66,000-tonne LFP cathode plant, extends the country’s build-out of a domestic clean-energy supply chain anchored in the Sohar Freezone.
Sources: Future Fund Oman via PR Newswire; pv magazine Global; PV Tech
Featured image: photo by Michael Li on Pexels (free Pexels license).
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I specialize in sustainability education, curriculum co-creation, and early-stage project strategy. At WINSS, I craft articles on sustainability, transformative AI, and related topics. When I’m not writing, you’ll find me chasing the perfect sushi roll, exploring cities around the globe, or unwinding with my dog Puffy — the world’s most loyal sidekick.
