Highlighting its sustained commitment to green energy initiatives, the United Arab Emirates continues to demonstrate progress in solar-powered green hydrogen production. Launched two years ago in collaboration with DEWA, Expo 2020 Dubai, and Siemens Energy, the ongoing success of the project at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park positions the UAE as a noteworthy contributor to sustainable energy solutions. The Green Hydrogen project is the first of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa to use solar power to produce hydrogen.

This innovative pilot plant, covering 10,000 square meters, is designed to explore various applications for hydrogen, including its potential use in industry and transportation. Green Hydrogen Project, located at the DEWA Research and Development Center within the Solar Park, utilizes photovoltaic electricity from the MBR Solar Park during the day.

Daylight solar power from the MBR Park will enable the pilot project to produce about 20.5 kilograms an hour (kg/hr) of hydrogen at 1.25MWe of peak power. Employing Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolysis technology, the plant converts solar power into green hydrogen. During the night, the stored green hydrogen is converted back into electricity, contributing to the city’s power supply with sustainable energy. The UAE’s ambitious goal is to produce 1.4 million tonnes of hydrogen annually by 2031, with a projected increase to 15 million tonnes by year 2050.

The establishment of the solar-powered green hydrogen plant aligns with the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative, emphasizing clean energy as a central component in addressing climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Siemens Energy, DEWA, and Expo 2020 Dubai’s collaboration underscores the commitment to fostering green hydrogen’s role in the ongoing global energy transition and decarbonisation efforts.

As anticipation builds for the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) in the UAE, the Green Hydrogen Project showcases the nation’s commitment to practical and scalable solutions for sustainable energy. This development positions the UAE as a player in the global effort to combat climate change and transition towards cleaner, more environmentally friendly energy sources.