Dubai has launched the green hydrogen project at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, marking a new achievement for the emirate as a leader in renewable energy.
The project is the first solar-driven green hydrogen-producing facility in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), Expo 2020, and Siemens Energy developed the pilot project to show how to generate hydrogen from solar power, as well as how to store and re-electrify the renewable fuel. The fuel’s green version is made entirely of renewable resources.
The green hydrogen project was inaugurated by Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy and Chairman of the Expo 2020 Dubai Higher Committee in the presence of senior officials.
Sheikh Ahmed said, “The launch of pioneering initiatives in the fields of development is driven by the vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, which seeks to strengthen the UAE’s leadership across various fields. These initiatives seek to ensure people’s happiness and wellbeing and provide solutions to challenges that may hinder our development journey.”
Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer MD & CEO – DEWA
“This pioneering project is part of our efforts to realize the vision of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE; His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, which aims to promote sustainability, innovation and shift towards a sustainable green economy. 2021 has witnessed important developments in the hydrogen sector. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum recently approved a UAE system for hydrogen fuel-powered vehicles, which aims to develop the Green Hydrogen economy in the UAE, open local markets to hydrogen-powered vehicles, and encourage an increase in environment-friendly vehicles. The system is the cornerstone for encouraging the use and licensing of vehicles, facilities, and equipment related to hydrogen fuel and will contribute to achieving sustainable growth that balances the environmental, economic and social aspects.”
Further, Mr. Al Tayer has stated that the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, which aims to provide 75 percent of Dubai’s total power capacity from clean energy sources by 2050, as well as the Dubai Green Mobility 2030 plan, which aims to encourage the use of sustainable transportation, are both supported by this project to generate hydrogen using solar power.
“The green hydrogen project represents a major step forward in this direction and will greatly accelerate our production of renewable and clean energy sources and contribute to our ongoing climate action efforts,” said Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, minister of industry and advanced technology and UAE special envoy for climate change.
