Power-to-X as a bridge between renewable-rich regions and European demand
The Sultanate of Oman and the Swiss initiative ReFuel.ch are intensifying their cooperation on the development of sustainable fuels. The partnership focuses on fuels produced from renewable electricity, a key application of Power-to-X, and aims to support the long-term transition towards climate-friendly energy systems.
Oman offers particularly favourable conditions for large-scale Power-to-X production. High solar irradiation, available land and a clear national strategy for renewable energy and hydrogen position the country as a potential production hub for synthetic fuels. Renewable electricity can be converted into hydrogen and further processed into defossilised fuels, including sustainable aviation fuels.
From the Swiss side, ReFuel.ch contributes expertise in market integration, certification approaches, demand aggregation and international cooperation. The initiative works to connect producers of sustainable fuels with buyers, policymakers and investors, helping to translate technological potential into functioning markets.
An important additional dimension of the cooperation is its integration into the Swiss federal research programme SWEET (SWiss Energy research for the Energy Transition). Within this framework, the Empa plays a central role in the scientific assessment of Power-to-X value chains. The programme is initiated and supported by the Bundesamt für Energie, underlining the strategic relevance of the project for Switzerland’s energy and climate policy.
Research within SWEET ReFuel.ch does not focus on production alone. Instead, the entire value chain is analysed, from renewable electricity generation and fuel synthesis to transport, use in Switzerland and overall environmental and economic performance. Lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions, sustainability criteria and system efficiency are assessed to provide a solid scientific basis for political and market decisions.
The cooperation also highlights the role of international partnerships in scaling Power-to-X. Regions with abundant renewable resources and industrialised countries with high energy demand are structurally interdependent. For sectors that are difficult to electrify directly, such as aviation, international supply chains for sustainable fuels are essential.
By combining Oman’s production potential with Swiss research and market expertise, the cooperation illustrates how Power-to-X can move beyond pilot projects. It provides practical insights into how sustainable fuels could be produced at scale, transported internationally and integrated into European energy systems.