Coming as a driver in moving forward early initiatives to build up the supply chain, the much anticipated strategy is expected to set the direction of the UAE’s hydrogen economy.

Supported by the Emirati-German Energy Partnership, GHD and Fraunhofer plan to develop the strategy’s framework, and by implementing, it is hoped it will drive job creation and support the establishment of new industries that will contribute to the UAE’s economic diversification and environmental sustainability.

Read more: UAE and Germany target green hydrogen under new energy security pact

H2 View understands, GHD will build off preliminary work that assessed critical elements necessary to develop the overarching framework to support the development of the strategy.

GHD has said the strategy intends to position the nation as a low-cost producer and exporter of low-carbon hydrogen by capturing 25% of the key export low-carbon hydrogen market and contribute to the country’s Net Zero ambitions by minimising emissions in heavy industries, energy storage, and commercial transport.

Throughout the second stage of the development, GHD and Fraunhofer will deliver the Hydrogen Implementation Roadmap as a ‘whole-system approach’ to building the hydrogen economy, highlighting how government and industry must coordinate and deliver activities throughout the value chain.

Shairf Al Olama, Under-Secretary of the MOEI for the Energy and Petroleum Sector, commented, “The UAE believes that collaboration is paramount to shaping a secure energy transition and a sustainable future in line with the Paris Agreement.

“In this ambitious journey, the UAE National Hydrogen Strategy will support local Industries, build low carbon energy systems, support our international partners such as Germany in their decarbonisation efforts, and establish the UAE as a competitive global hydrogen exporter.”

Armani El Sehrawey O’Neill, Public Policy and Government Transformation Lead at GHD, said, “Our ongoing collaboration with the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure shows our commitment to define and recommend innovative energy transition and decarbonisation solutions.

“This work will expand on the identified key elements of a hydrogen strategy that will bring together all stakeholders to create an enabling policy and provide connectivity across various hydrogen initiatives in the UAE.”

Prof. Dr. Christopher Hebling and Prof. Dr. Mario Ragwitz, spokespersons for the Fraunhofer Stategic Research Field Hydrogen Technologies, in a joint statement, said, “The UAE hydrogen strategy focuses on decarbonising the nation’s domestic energy system, including its industry, cooling, and mobility sectors. It also supports the UAE’s ambition to become an exporter of low-carbon hydrogen. We are pleased to be part of this important phase of the UAE’s energy transformation.”