UAE national hydrogen strategy aims 15 million tonnes of green H2 by 2050

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) government has recently declared its national hydrogen strategy as part of its larger efforts to triple the country's renewable energy capacity by 2030. 

The country's national energy strategy affirms to infuse between AED150bn ($40.8bn) and AED200bn ($54.4bn) in all energy sources up to 2030, thereby targeting a clean energy mix of about 30 percent by 2031, according to news reports. 

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Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who chaired the UAE Cabinet meeting that cleared the latest energy strategies, commented, "As a result of the accelerated economic growth, we approved the updated UAE National Energy Strategy, which aims to triple the contribution of the renewable energy over the next 7 years, and invest AED150 to AED200 billion during the same period to meet the country's growing demand for energy."

He further added, "We also approved the National Hydrogen Strategy, which has recently emerged as one of the most important types of clean energy. The strategy aims to promoting the UAE's position as a producer and exporter of low-emission hydrogen over the next eight years through the development of supply chains, the establishment of hydrogen oases and a national research and development centre."

UAE is planning to develop at least two hydrogen production hubs called as "oasis" by 2031. The national strategy also calls for the establishment of a  green H2 research and development centre in the country to aid the technology and ecosystem development. 

Further, a production target of 1.4 million tonnes of green hydrogen per year by 2031 and 15 million tonnes by 2050 has been set, so as to emerge as a key hydrogen producer in the middle-east region and cater to the emerging energy demands from Europe and rest of the world. 

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"The strategy contributes to fostering the domestic market, developing a regulatory framework and policies that support hydrogen as a sustainable fuel for the future, strengthening regional collaboration, and bolstering investments in research and development," said Sharif Al Olama, under-secretary for energy and petroleum affairs at the ministry of energy and infrastructure, as quoted by Hydrogen Insight. 

It is reported that about 28 hydrogen projects are being proposed in the country, of which 7 have already reached the stages involving final investment decisions.