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Omani silicon manufacturer Green Ferro Alloy has kicked off construction on a USD 68 mn silicon metal factory in Oman’s Sohar Port and FreeZone, according to a press release. This plant aims to meet the rising demand for metallic silicon in Asia, Europe, and North America. No timeline for the project has been revealed.
What we know: The factory — which spans 160k sqm — will initially produce 25k tons of high-quality metallic silicon annually, with plans to double production to 50k tons in the second phase, the statement said. The manufacturing process will involve pouring liquid silicon into molds, cooling, grinding, and packing it for export.
What is silicon metal used for? About 95% of solar panels sold currently use silicon semiconductors. Crystalline silicon cells consist of silicon atoms arranged in a crystal lattice, which efficiently converts light into electricity. They offer high efficiency, low cost, and long lifespans.
Plans for the factory were first announced last year: Sohar Port and Freezone and Green Ferro Alloy first inked a land lease agreement to establish the plant back in July 2023.
Sohar is on a roll: Australia’s renewable energy developer United Solar Group began construction on a USD 1.3 bn polysilicon production facility in Oman’s Sohar Port and Freezone back in March.
