UAE’s National Hydrogen Strategy

GHD is delivering a comprehensive National Hydrogen Strategy for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MOEI), built on its vision to become a leading global producer of low-carbon hydrogen by its 60th anniversary in 2031.

In 2020, GHD developed the strategy framework underpinned by 10 key enablers that provide the foundations for a hydrogen economy. Employing an internationally benchmarked, evidence-based approach, MOEI gained valuable insights into their present status and discerned the necessary measures to achieve their aspirations for 2031.

In 2022, GHD began working on the development of the National Hydrogen Strategy, a comprehensive plan designed in close collaboration with both internal stakeholders from various hard-to-abate sectors within the UAE and external stakeholders, including foreign nations set to receive UAE’s hydrogen exports. This strategic initiative aimed to secure the commitment and active involvement of local industries while addressing the challenges of hard-to-abate sectors through 2031. Furthermore, it meticulously assessed the prospects and obstacles in establishing a hydrogen-centric economy in the UAE, with a focus on capitalising on the country’s vast natural gas reserves, abundant solar energy resources and its strategic position as a prominent global energy and business hub.

GHD and the Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Integrated Energy Systems CINES formed a partnership to ensure the successful delivery of this project. Fraunhofer's technical parameters derived from its Hydrogen Potential Atlas project (HYPAT), plus extensive research from primary and secondary literature sources, were incorporated to ensure the accuracy of the data on hydrogen production and domestic forecasted targets. The combined expertise and experience of GHD and Fraunhofer played a pivotal role in the successful delivery of their project and contributed to positioning the UAE as a frontrunner in hydrogen development, driving sustainable growth and advancements in the field.

The National Hydrogen Strategy sets the stage for the nation’s ambitious hydrogen goals, with the next milestone being the development of a Low-Carbon Hydrogen policy, and presents several key highlights, which include exponential hydrogen production growth, green job creation, and hydrogen infrastructure expansion. 

Building a successful hydrogen economy requires multiple complex enablers to come together, including infrastructure, a skilled workforce, and a clear and consistent policy environment. GHD is committed to unlocking sustainable pathways to net zero, and developing a hydrogen economy is a critical part of the broader decarbonisation puzzle.