Green for go: the UAE’s long-term plan for hydrogen

Green for go: the UAE’s long-term plan for hydrogen

- Oman and Saudi Arabia also working on green hydrogen projects

- Analysts believe GCC members can become major exporters of the fuel

Dubai, United Arab Emirates – The UAE has unveiled its national hydrogen strategy as analysts predict that GCC members can play a key role as exporters.

The blueprint for hydrogen is a “long-term plan to turn the UAE into a leading and reliable producer and supplier of low-carbon hydrogen by 2031”, according to Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, minister of energy and infrastructure.

It forms part of the updated national energy strategy, which was approved by the UAE cabinet in July. Al Mazrouei said the hydrogen plan would be “a crucial tool to help the UAE achieve its commitment to net zero by 2050″.

Sharif Al Olama, an under-secretary at the energy ministry, said the strategy included “tangible steps” to establish two hydrogen hubs and explore three more, which could create thousands of jobs.

Business consultancy Frost & Sullivan published a report in January, saying hydrogen “is expected to play a key role in decarbonising the economy across end-use sectors in the GCC.”

It added: “GCC countries, especially the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman, are working on national strategies aimed at developing the hydrogen