During State Visit in Paris: Oman Awards Billion-Euro Contracts to Suez and EDF

Paris – 01.07.2026: Sultan Haitham bin Tariq‘s state visit to Paris produced a number of extensive economic agreements between Oman and France. On 29 June 2026, in the presence of high-ranking delegations, contracts with the companies Suez and EDF were signed that deepen cooperation between the two countries in the areas of water management and the energy transition. For France, the awards mark significant foreign business in a dynamically growing market in the Gulf; for Oman they are building blocks of its own diversification strategy.

According to company statements, Suez received a performance contract worth around €2 billion with a term of 15 years. The mandate covers operation, maintenance and modernization of the water and wastewater networks in the Muscat region as well as in the Ash Sharqiyah North and South governorates. Approximately 2.3 million people are to be served. Planned programs include reducing water losses, increasing efficiency in desalination plants and modernizing wastewater treatment plants. The contract is regarded as one of the group’s largest in the Middle East and strengthens its position in public services.

At the same time, EDF was awarded a major project in the field of electricity storage: the company is to build a pumped-storage plant that will be connected to the existing Wadi Daysat Dam. According to statements, a storage capacity of up to 2 gigawatts is planned; the contract value is around 3 billion US dollars. Pumped-storage plants are considered a key component for integrating variable renewable energies and contribute to grid stability by converting electricity into potential energy during periods of high generation and feeding it back when needed.

The signings took place within the protocol framework of the state visit at the Élysée. Such formats are often used to finalize already negotiated industrial projects and to ensure political backing. In Paris, the deepening of economic relations with Oman is seen as a complement to the diplomatic agenda, which also includes security issues in the Gulf region and energy partnerships. In Muscat, the initiatives fit into plans to make water infrastructure more robust and to gradually increase the share of renewable generation.

Practical points remain to be clarified for implementation, such as local value-added shares, staff training and the fine-tuning of performance indicators and maintenance cycles. Both projects also require close coordination with the relevant Omani authorities and grid operators. With the contracts now concluded, the framework is in place to initiate planning, construction and operation within the coming years and to achieve measurable progress in supply security and energy flexibility.