UAE-based largest premium aluminum producer, Emirates Global Aluminum (EGA) has signed an agreement with the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI) to join the UAE Hydrogen Leadership Initiative to explore collaboration opportunities across industries.
As a member of the UAE Hydrogen Leadership Initiative, EGA will be able to explore with others the technical and economic potential of hydrogen within the processes of aluminum production, as well as processes in EGA’s local supply chain.
According to the statement, “By joining the Hydrogen Leadership Initiative, EGA will also join the Abu Dhabi Hydrogen Alliance and the National Hydrogen Technical Committee, both of which were created by the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure in 2020 to assess the role of hydrogen within the energy transition and explore potential export opportunities.”
The company stated that the initiative will achieve the country’s ambition to become a global leader in low carbon hydrogen. More than seven projects are already underway, targeting a 25 percent market share in key export markets, including Japan, South Korea, Germany, and India, along with additional high-potential markets across Europe and East Asia.
Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei Minister of Energy & Infrastructure UAE
“The UAE continues its efforts to take decisive steps to advance the clean energy sector, particularly in hydrogen. The UAE is committed to strengthening the country’s position as a global center for a sustainable, green economy, in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and his brother, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, members of the Supreme Council the Rulers of the Emirates, and the ‘Projects of the 50’, leading to the ‘UAE Centennial 2071’ vision. The agreement for EGA to join the Hydrogen Leadership Initiative, which was launched by the UAE and the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure during COP26 in Glasgow, will create a new model for constructive cooperation to strengthen the position of hydrogen as a key enabler in the decarbonization of carbon-intensive industries.”
“This cooperation cements the UAE’s position as one of the countries with the greatest support for clean energy in the world, as well as its leadership in hydrogen. This cooperation increases the contribution of the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure and EGA, to the achievement of the country’s climate goals. In the field of clean energy, particularly hydrogen, the UAE has what it takes to lead the transformation of the energy sector globally,” the UAE minister noted.
Mr. Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer of EGA, said that, “Aluminium’s use plays a key role in decarbonizing other industries economy-wide, which makes decarbonizing aluminum production even more of an essential challenge for our own industry.”
“Replacing natural gas with hydrogen is one part of the potential solution, and we look forward to accelerating our work in this area in partnership with the other members of the Hydrogen Leadership Initiative, in cooperation with the Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure, and in support of the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative,” Mr. Kalban further added.
