Sustainable electrical cables are no longer just a niche product—they’re gaining serious traction across Oman. While the technology has been quietly present in the local market for some time, thanks in large part to the pioneering work of Oman Cables Industry (OCI), its broader significance is only now coming into focus.
In 2023, OCI was recognised as the EcoCable: Green Company of the Year, affirming its early lead in the sustainable cabling space. But what’s surprising is how little attention this sector has received in public discussions around decarbonisation.
As Oman pushes ahead with its Vision 2040 goals, eco-friendly infrastructure is set to become a major pillar of its development strategy. And cables—often taken for granted—may be among the most transformative components in that shift.
What Makes a Cable Eco-Friendly?
At a basic level, eco-cables distinguish themselves by the materials used and the way they’re produced. Traditional cables are most commonly made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC)—a durable plastic but one that raises environmental concerns. The production and disposal of PVC release harmful dioxins, and the material itself often contains halogens, which can be toxic when burned.
Eco-friendly cables, in contrast, avoid these materials entirely. Instead, they use halogen-free compounds, biodegradable insulation, and recycled or recyclable materials in their construction. These changes not only reduce health and environmental risks but also align with broader circular economy principles.
The shift also extends to manufacturing processes. Sustainable cable production seeks to minimise energy consumption, reduce emissions, and ensure waste is diverted from landfills. OCI, for instance, incorporates recycled copper and aluminium in its cables and employs energy-efficient production lines to cut down on its carbon footprint.
OCI manufactures and markets a full range of such cables in Oman, contributing to a growing regional shift in sustainable cabling, alongside efforts by major players such as Elsewedy Electric in Saudi Arabia and Ducab in the UAE.
Environmental and Industry-Wide Impact
While cables may not seem like a high-emissions product, their cumulative impact—especially in fast-growing construction markets like Oman—is significant. Traditional cabling systems contribute to resource depletion, toxic waste, and long-term indoor air quality issues.
The ripple effect of replacing PVC cables with greener alternatives is profound. If widely adopted, eco-cables could lead to:
- Better indoor and outdoor air quality (especially in warmer climates),
- Reduced reliance on virgin raw materials, and
- A tangible reduction in greenhouse gas emissions at scale.
Safety is also a major selling point. In the event of fire, traditional PVC releases thick smoke and corrosive gases. Eco-cables made from halogen-free materials emit little to no toxic smoke and maintain low flame spread, improving evacuation safety and limiting damage to equipment.
Why Has PVC Remained the Default?
Despite the advantages of eco-cables, PVC remains the go-to material for most manufacturers and developers due to its cost-efficiency, fire resistance, and industry familiarity.
However, innovation in eco-cable design has now overcome many of the early limitations. Modern halogen-free materials not only meet—but often exceed—traditional fire safety benchmarks. The idea that sustainability comes at the cost of performance is becoming outdated.
The remaining barrier is primarily one of awareness and policy alignment. As building codes and procurement standards begin to reflect ESG priorities, PVC’s dominance may finally wane.
OCI: Market Leader and Innovator
OCI’s transformation over the past few years has placed Oman at the centre of sustainable cable manufacturing in the Gulf. In partnership with Italian multinational Prysmian Group, OCI has expanded both its capabilities and product range, allowing it to meet growing regional demand for greener solutions.
A major milestone came in 2024 with the launch of E PATH—the first proprietary green labelling system in the cable industry. E PATH assesses cable products based on six core sustainability criteria, from raw material sourcing to end-of-life recyclability, and aligns with international frameworks such as the EU Ecolabel.
This initiative has set a new benchmark for transparency and accountability in the sector. By providing quantifiable metrics and clear labelling, E PATH helps buyers make informed choices aligned with net-zero and ESG strategies.
OCI’s current product line includes halogen-free cables, solar-compatible wiring, and energy-efficient power lines designed for both residential and industrial use. These offerings cater to a wide variety of sectors—from construction and energy to telecommunications and heavy industry.
A Market on the Rise
Demand for power cables in Oman is being driven by two powerful forces: a surging real estate sector and a rapidly diversifying industrial base.
According to the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI), real estate transactions in 2024 rose by 29.6% compared to the previous year, reaching a total value of RO 3.379 billion. These new homes and developments all require cabling that meets increasingly sophisticated expectations for quality and sustainability.
Meanwhile, Oman’s manufacturing sector grew by 9.2% year-on-year at constant prices. The basic chemical industry alone expanded by 6.4%, while other industrial manufacturing rose by 6.3%, with overall production value jumping from RO 871 million to RO 951 million. This growth accounted for 10% of Oman’s GDP in 2024.
Cabling demand, particularly for high-efficiency and specialised wires, has soared in tandem.
Supporting Infrastructure for a Renewable Future
As Oman accelerates its transition toward renewable energy, eco-cables are becoming essential to the infrastructure that underpins solar, wind, and hydropower installations.
OCI’s sustainable cable solutions are built with these conditions in mind. Their products are engineered to handle high loads, fluctuating weather, and large-scale integration into energy grids.
This makes them well suited not only for Oman’s domestic needs, but also for export to neighbouring countries such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE, which are also scaling up renewable energy projects.
A Regional Race for Sustainability
Across the Gulf, leading cable manufacturers are playing a critical role in the region’s shift toward sustainable infrastructure. Oman’s OCI, Saudi Arabia’s Elsewedy Electric, and the UAE’s Ducab are all leveraging innovation, R&D, and ESG integration to reshape how cables are produced, deployed, and evaluated.
Ducab, for instance, has made significant strides in low-emission cable technology, including products developed with high recycled content and designed to meet the UAE’s Net Zero Strategy 2050. Similarly, Elsewedy Electric has incorporated green principles into its vertically integrated model—from manufacturing to logistics—and established industrial parks designed to support renewable energy and eco-friendly operations.
OCI’s sustainability-driven growth has also placed it at the forefront of Oman’s industrial evolution. Over the past five years, the company has multiplied its net profit tenfold and introduced a profit-sharing model that reflects its inclusive ESG philosophy.
Collectively, these firms are pushing boundaries, elevating standards, and ensuring that the region’s cable industry keeps pace with—and contributes to—the Middle East’s low-carbon future.
Standardising Sustainability
While OCI has taken the lead in establishing internal benchmarks like E PATH, the lack of unified national standards for sustainable cables remains an issue.
At present, each manufacturer sets its own criteria and definitions of “green”, which creates inconsistencies and limits regulatory oversight. This could become a serious problem as the market expands and more international players enter the space.
To address this, Oman’s public and private sectors may need to collaborate on a national certification framework for green infrastructure products, similar to the LEED or BREEAM systems used in building construction.
Such a framework could provide buyers, developers, and policymakers with the tools needed to assess environmental impact in a standardised and transparent manner.
Reframing the Conversation
In conversations about sustainable energy, infrastructure often gets reduced to flashy technologies—solar panels, EVs, hydrogen cells. But none of these work without wiring—often metres upon metres of it.
Cables may be invisible, buried beneath the surface or behind walls, but they’re fundamental to any vision of a greener future. Without attention to how they’re produced, installed, and disposed of, sustainability claims across the energy and construction sectors fall flat.
In this context, OCI’s push for cleaner, safer, and more efficient cables isn’t just a business pivot. It’s a necessary step in transforming how infrastructure is understood and evaluated.
In order for the sector to grow and truly support Vision 2040, wider adoption, policy alignment, and public awareness will be essential. If ignored, cables remain mundane. If embraced, they become one of the most effective tools in Oman’s low-carbon strategy.
The silent revolution is already underway—it’s just time to wire everyone in.
By: Omar Ahmed