Marafiq takes home sustainable innovation award

Oman’s Centralized Utilities Company (Marafiq) has won the integrated utilities company of the year award at the World Economic News Network’s Sustainability Innovation Award 2023 ceremony in Dubai, UAE, Times of Oman announced on Monday.

The award recognizes the company achieving a non-revenue water loss rate of 9.1% through its water network management at the Duqm Special Economic Zone (SEZAD).

The rate is one of the lowest in the world, with percentages generally reaching around 20% and even 35% in some cases.

The award also showcases the integrated utility’s commitment to helping Oman reach its goal of having net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and successfully implementing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

“Sustainability for our activities plays a paramount role,” Abdullah Al Hashimi, managing director of Marafiq told TEY in May 2023.

“Originally, SEZAD was powered by a diesel power plant, so we replaced that inefficient and expensive facility with a gas one that is more efficient and environmentally friendly, aiming to reduce the annual CO2 emissions to 90,000 tonnes, equivalent to the emissions of about 20,000 cars.”

Founded in 2013, Marifiq provides integrated utilities and water supply to SEZAD.

The company is a joint venture owned by OQ – a subsidiary of Oman Investment Authority – and Gulf Energy Development Corporation of Thailand.

Read our latest interview with Abdullah Al Hashimi, managing director of Marafiq, here.