The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE), in partnership with Canada and the Clean Energy Business Council (CEBC), has organized the “Canada Advancing Clean Energy – Hydrogen and Decarbonization” forum in Abu Dhabi.
The event has gathered industry experts from Canada and the UAE in order to discuss ways to foster closer collaboration in the hydrogen and decarbonization space.
According to the statement, “Held on the sidelines of the World Future Energy Summit, and during Expo 2020 Dubai’s Global Goals theme week, the event brought together stakeholders from the UAE and Canada to reach their shared target of achieving net-zero by 2050.”
The event was opened by the Honorable Jeremy Harrison, Minister of Trade and Export Development for the Province of Saskatchewan, and HE Jean-Philippe Linteau, Consul General of Canada in Dubai and the Northern Emirates.
“The exchange between the public and private sector industry experts in Canada and the UAE provided an unprecedented opportunity to discuss the recent developments, challenges, and opportunities in hydrogen and decarbonization in Canada, the UAE, and wider MENA region, and to forge future partnerships,” as per the statement.
Ahmed Mohammed Belajer Al Rumaithi Undersecretary – Abu Dhabi DoE
“Like many countries around the world, Canada and the UAE stand at a crossroads on energy and climate change, with national development plans focused on restructuring our operations and renewing our energy systems towards sustainable, low-carbon economies. Hydrogen is emerging as a viable clean energy option and Abu Dhabi has distinct advantages to unlock the decarbonization potential of this green fuel. The emirate is an excellent base for both blue and green hydrogen production due to its high level of predictable solar radiation, land space, low levelized renewable energy cost, significant reserves of hydrogen-bearing compounds, and due to its industrial capacity across the energy value chain, advanced infrastructure and experience in export of flammable materials, strategic location between large demand markets, and importantly due to its significant financing abilities and enabling foreign investment regulatory frameworks.”
“We are delighted to join this event to discuss Canada and the UAE’s key achievements in energy diversification and investment in new clean technologies, such as hydrogen, to expand decarbonization for sustainable future growth. Building on the strong trade and economic ties between our two nations, we foresee exclusive prospects for cooperation and partnerships to advance our clean energy capacity while minimizing climate impacts,” said HE Eng. Awaidha Murshed Ali Al Marar, Chairman, Abu Dhabi Department of Energy.
To mark the closure of the event, MENA Clean Energy Business Council (CEBC) and the Canadian Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association (CHFCA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to stimulate cooperation between Canada and the MENA region in the development and deployment of zero-emission hydrogen and fuel cell technologies.
