July 2023: UAE Cabinet approved the National Hydrogen Strategy which aims to strengthen the UAEs position as a producer and supplier of low-emission hydrogen by 2031. The UAE will achieve this through the development of supply chains, the establishment of hydrogen oases and a dedicated national research and development center for hydrogen technologies. 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 to establish a regional hydrogen market
- Bolstering investments in research and development to improve the cost effectiveness of hydrogen production, transport and utilization.
It enhances investor confidence and helps companies develop robust supply chains. It supports the country's approach to fully utilize its abundant solar energy and natural gas resources, its ability to capture and store carbon, and its strategic location to unlock local hydrogen production capabilities and accelerate the global hydrogen economy.
The strategy will help accelerate the global hydrogen economy and scale up local hydrogen production to:
- 1.4 million tons per annum (mtpa) by 2031 (consisting of 1 mtpa of green hydrogen and 0.4 mtpa of blue hydrogen)
- 7.5 mtpa by 2040
- 15 mtpa by 2050
The Updated UAE Energy Strategy 2050 is also published.
Source: National Hydrogen Strategy
January 2023: The UK and UAE governments have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which will help facilitate the sharing of technical knowledge, advice, skills and expertise, opening up new avenues for cooperation on energy and climate, while boosting jobs and investment in the UK.
Source: UK and United Arab Emirates agree to boost energy security and unlock investment
September 2021: The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (UK) and the Emirati Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology have signed a bilateral Memorandum of Cooperation on Industrial and Advanced Technologies Collaboration. The Memorandum seeks to enable greater collaboration between the UK and the UAE on a broad range of shared priorities, including the development of life sciences, space, hydrogen, and broader industrial sectors, including supply chain resilience, regulations and standards.
January 2021: On 14 January 2021, the United Arab Emirates and Japan met and signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) to cooperate on Fuel Ammonia and Carbon Recycling. This MOC was signed between the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company and the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry of Japan. During the meeting, the discussion focused on industrial cooperation, climate change, hydrogen, and post-COVID economic recovery.
Source: Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Infrastructure