The UAE is rapidly advancing its green hydrogen strategy, aiming to become a major exporter by 2031, leveraging its desert sun and strategic position to decarbonise industries and boost its economy amid global decarbonisation drives.
The UAE is really ramping up its efforts to invest in green hydrogen, viewing it both as a tool to cut down carbon emissions from industry and as a promising new pillar to boost its export economy. With plenty of sunlight, increasing renewable energy capacity, and a string of high-profile partnerships, the country is trying to leverage its strengths, developed during the fossil-fuel era, into a competitive position in the growing global hydrogen arena.
Central to this push is a clear government strategy. According to the U.S. International Trade Administration, the UAE officially approved a national hydrogen plan in July 2023, aiming high with its targets: producing 1.4 million tonnes of green hydrogen annually by 2031, and ramping up to 15 million tonnes by 2050. Various public agencies and state-linked companies are aligning their projects and policies with these goals. Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), for example, emphasizes hydrogen as a core part of its long-term clean-energy ambitions. DEWA notes that its Green Hydrogen project at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is actually the first in the MENA region to use solar power for electrolysis, and they see this program helping Dubai carve out a significant share of the global hydrogen trade.
The main economic drivers are decarbonising industries and meeting export demand. Green hydrogen, which is made by splitting water with renewable electricity, presents a pathway to reduce emissions in sectors like steelmaking, refining, shipping, and aviation, areas that are especially hard to electrify otherwise. And we’re already seeing international demand influence UAE plans. Industry insiders mention that Europe and Asia are on the lookout for dependable suppliers of low-carbon hydrogen and derivatives such as green ammonia, which is easier to transport and store than gaseous hydrogen.
Big domestic players, both national champions and overseas partners, sit at the heart of these projects. ADNOC, the UAE’s state energy company, is pushing forward on low-carbon ammonia at its Ta’ziz chemicals hub in Ruwais, aiming to produce at scale. Market reports suggest ADNOC has taken stakes in overseas hydrogen ventures and has already sold early cargoes of blue ammonia to Asian buyers, clearly signaling that they’re beyond just testing the waters. Masdar has launched a dedicated green hydrogen unit, with projects like a 2MW pilot in partnership with Emirates Steel Arkan. They’ve also set ambitious targets to expand renewable energy and hydrogen output across multiple markets. DEWA’s pilot plant, for instance, has produced hydrogen used in power generation and to refuel vehicles, showcasing some practical applications happening now.
The UAE’s geographic location plus its well-developed ports, export infrastructure, and longstanding trade relationships from oil and natural gas work strongly in its favor. These assets lower the barriers to becoming a serious hydrogen supplier. Analysts see substantial opportunities in building export terminals, shipping services, and supply-chain infrastructure for both green hydrogen and its derivatives. These facilities could connect Gulf-based production to demand hubs in Europe and Asia, regions that are accelerating their own decarbonisation plans.
Of course, there are technological and operational hurdles too. Building electrolyzers costs a lot upfront, and water, especially in the arid desert climate, is a tricky resource. Scaling up renewable capacity is another ongoing challenge. DEWA mentions that integrating desalination with electrolyzer operation and using water-efficient technologies could help address some of these issues. The International Energy Agency (IEA) and other analysts project that the costs for green hydrogen will come down sharply as manufacturing of electrolyzers increases and renewable electricity becomes cheaper. DEWA highlights IEA models that even suggest near-term cost improvements could significantly boost competitiveness.
Market rules, standards, certification systems, and long-term purchase agreements, these are areas still developing and adding some uncertainty. Industry insiders point out that universally accepted rules for measuring and certifying hydrogen emissions and trade will be essential to attract big investments. While this continues to evolve, private-public partnerships are forming to share the risk. ADNOC’s alliances with international energy firms and Masdar’s global projects are helping create demand linkages that can support larger-scale investments.
The economic and social benefits are also an important part of the rationale behind the push. Governments and industry leaders highlight job creation, advanced manufacturing, and technology transfer, especially the kind that helps diversify economic activity. Dubai, for one, has plans for hydrogen-focused clusters and free zones designed to attract investment and host downstream industries like ammonia synthesis and synthetic fuels production. And it’s worth noting that maintaining an export legacy while shifting towards low-carbon products gives the UAE a smoother transition away from traditional hydrocarbon reliance, helping to prevent sudden fiscal shocks.
Operational milestones are starting to pile up too. DEWA’s R&D plant has already produced meaningful amounts of hydrogen for electricity and mobility tests. Meanwhile, ADNOC has announced large ammonia projects and begun selling early cargoes. Masdar recently revealed that it’s deploying utility-scale renewables to ensure constant clean power supply, super important for reliable electrolysis. Industry reports suggest these efforts aim to demonstrate technical viability, cut costs, and attract long-term buy-in from customers.
Looking ahead, the speed of progress will hinge on a few key factors: how quickly renewable power capacity grows, whether electrolyzer costs fall as expected, and the development of mature, well-regulated international hydrogen markets with clear certification standards. Thanks to strong policy commitments and major energy players investing capital, the UAE seems to be shifting from demonstration projects into actual commercial production. If it hits its targets, the country could become a major green hydrogen exporter to Europe and Asia, while also developing domestic industries that align with its net-zero ambitions.
For innovators and investors in climate technology, the current environment presents plenty of opportunities, from contracting and engineering to systems integration. Companies developing electrolyzers, water treatment linked with desalination, storage solutions, and ammonia synthesis facilities are likely to see strong demand. That said, the success of these projects will also depend heavily on financing structures and regulatory frameworks, key to giving investors confidence in funding large-scale ventures whose returns depend on fluctuating global markets and evolving policies.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.prnewsreleaser.com/news/216517 – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.trade.gov/market-intelligence/united-arab-emirates-hydrogen-market-opportunities – The UAE is positioning itself as a hub for low-carbon energy. In July 2023, the UAE government approved a national hydrogen strategy. The UAE aims to produce 1.4 million tons of green hydrogen annually by 2031 and 15 million tons by 2050. Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) is building a low-carbon ammonia production facility at the Ta’ziz industrial ecosystem and chemicals hub in Ruwais, Abu Dhabi, with a capacity of one million tons per year. In November 2023, ADNOC announced that it has opened “H2GO”, the region’s first high speed green hydrogen pilot refueling station in Abu Dhabi (Masdar City), to test a fleet of zero-emission hydrogen-powered vehicles. Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) is doubling down on its commitment to green hydrogen following the establishment of a dedicated green hydrogen department that aims to develop projects in this sector in the UAE, regionally, and globally. Masdar has already initiated several green hydrogen projects, including a 2-megawatt pilot project in the industrial zone of Abu Dhabi with Emirates Steel Arkan, the UAE’s largest steel and building materials manufacturer. Opportunities include supplying design, construction, engineering, equipment, storage, infrastructure, etc. for ADNOC-led projects at the Ta’ziz Ruwais petrochemical zone, Masdar hydrogen projects, etc. Hydrogen export terminals and shipping. Development of use cases for hydrogen to boost demand. Development of security systems and solutions for the handling and transportation of hydrogen.
- https://apnews.com/article/86289dbc2d029c684923efa656fd04a2 – Italy, Albania, and the United Arab Emirates signed a three-way clean energy cooperation deal Wednesday that calls for the Gulf country’s expertise to be put to use in Albania to produce solar, wind and other renewable energy, some of which would then be transferred to … . Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni traveled … . Albanian Premier Edi Rama valued … . Meloni said the three-way arrangement … . “The future of energy transition and digit … ,” she said, adding that nuclear … “seemingly distant partners, … .” The UAE, a major oil-producing … . Sultan al-Jaber, the UAE … Al-Jaber, the chairman of … “transitioning away” from them.
- https://www.marketsandata.com/industry-reports/uae-green-hydrogen-market – The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is taking a pioneering stance in harnessing the vast potential of Green Hydrogen, strategically capitalizing on the diminishing costs of renewable energy sources to drive a robust, cost-effective, and efficient energy solution. Furthermore, leveraging its established capabilities in oil exports, the UAE is orchestrating a deliberate shift towards green hydrogen initiatives, fostering strong partnerships with renowned international entities such as BP, ADNOC, and Masdar. Together, they are actively driving forward hydrogen-centric projects, including endeavors in Teesside, UK. ADNOC’s substantial 25% stake in BP’s H2Teesside blue hydrogen project is a significant testament to the UAE’s commitment. Equipped with two formidable 500MW hydrogen production units, this initiative will initiate operations in 2027, marking a pivotal advancement in sustainable energy pursuits. ADNOC and Fertiglobe announced plans for a 1 million tons per annum “blue” ammonia production facility in Abu Dhabi’s TA’ZIZ industrial hub. The facility will be in TA’ZIZ Industrial Chemicals Zone in the industrial hub of Ruwais and is slated for a startup in 2025. This ambitious venture demonstrates the UAE’s commitment to a diverse green hydrogen ecosystem. ADNOC sold its inaugural blue ammonia cargoes to three Japanese clients, showcasing the rapid growth of the UAE’s green hydrogen enterprise.
- https://dewa.gov.ae/en/about-us/media-publications/latest-news/2025/01/green-hydrogen-supports-diversification-of-energy – In line with the UAE Energy Strategy 2050, Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, and Dubai Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050 to provide 100% of the energy production capacity from clean energy sources by 2050, the National Hydrogen Strategy plays an important role in enabling hydrogen as a reliable source of future energy, driving energy transition, encouraging investment and research aimed at enhancing technologies used, reducing the cost of its generation and storage, and establishing regulatory frameworks supporting the development and expansion of its infrastructure. Following a thorough study of hydrogen demand, the National Hydrogen Strategy forecasts local demand of low-carbon hydrogen to reach 2.7 mtpa by 2031. Global interest in green hydrogen-based investments and partnerships is receiving more attention as it is the fuel of the future and a clean, carbon-neutral fuel that mitigates the effects of global warming. The Green Hydrogen project, implemented by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), is the first of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) to produce hydrogen using solar energy, consolidating the UAE’s leadership and competitiveness in clean and renewable energy, supporting our serious endeavours to make the UAE one of the leading hydrogen exporters, by capturing 25% of the global hydrogen market by 2030. The project is in line with our ongoing efforts to reduce carbon emissions from energy and water production processes, diversify and strengthen Dubai’s position as a global clean energy hub and green economy, and achieve the Dubai Green Mobility Strategy 2030 to promote the use of sustainable transport and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. DEWA prepared a roadmap for Hydrogen Strategy that will be implemented in phases. Since its launch in May 2021, the Green Hydrogen Project has been able to reduce 490 tonnes of carbon emissions. The project produced approximately 90 tonnes of green hydrogen, most of which was used to produce more than 1 gigawatt hour of green electric power using a hydrogen gas engine, while more than 2.5 tonnes of hydrogen were used to fuel 500 cars through ENOC’s Service Station of the Future at Expo 2020 Dubai. DEWA generates green hydrogen from the project’s hydrogen filling plant at its Research and Development (R&D) Centre at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park. The project, implemented by DEWA in collaboration with Expo 2020 Dubai and Siemens Energy, produces 20 kilogrammes of hydrogen per hour, with the hydrogen storage tank capable of storing up to 12 hours of hydrogen produced using solar energy. The plant utilises a hydrogen gas motor of about 300 kilowatts of electrical energy capacity. The project has been designed and built to accommodate future applications and test platforms for various uses of hydrogen, including energy production, air, land and sea transport sectors and industry. The Green Hydrogen project reduces the cost of generating and storing green hydrogen, thereby reducing the costs of producing clean energy and increasing the efficiency of its production. The implementation of project at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, the largest single-site solar park in the world, based on the Independent Power Producer (IPP) model with a production capacity of more than 5,000 MW by 2030, plays an essential role in achieving competitive prices in green hydrogen production. Green hydrogen is produced mainly by water electrolysis using renewable energy. DEWA has achieved world records in the lowest prices for solar projects, and Dubai has become a benchmark for solar prices globally. Experts expect a significant decrease in the current high cost of producing green hydrogen in the coming years. IEA’s Global Hydrogen Review 2023 confirms that green hydrogen could be produced for $1.60 per kilogram by 2030, making it more competitive with current production methods, whose current cost ranges between $3 and $6.5 per kilogramme. DEWA spares no effort to enhance energy security, sustainability, and efficiency, raising the UAE’s global competitiveness in this vital sector, and ensuring that Dubai’s growing energy demand is met and that accelerated economic growth is kept at pace. We are striking a balance between economic needs and environmental objectives and expanding environmentally friendly energy use, building on the latest innovations, research, and investments that drive sustainable development and ensure a greener and brighter future.
- https://www.khaleejtimes.com/business-technology-review/energy-sector-driving-growth-ensuring-a-cleaner-future – In January 2025, Masdar launched a groundbreaking project in Abu Dhabi capable of supplying 1GW of round-the-clock clean power — a milestone in making renewables reliable for baseload electricity. Masdar is also active in more than 40 countries, targeting 100GW of renewable capacity and up to one million tonnes of green hydrogen annually by 2030. The UAE’s energy strategy is not about a sudden switch from hydrocarbons to renewables, nor about abandoning legacy strengths. Instead, it is a carefully sequenced transformation built on stability, investment foresight and global partnerships. Oil and gas continue to provide the financial backbone — funding public services, infrastructure development and sovereign wealth accumulation — even as the clean-energy sector gathers scale and confidence. This balanced approach gives the UAE the ability to manage risks that many economies undergoing transition face. By reinforcing its upstream and LNG positions while simultaneously expanding solar, hydrogen, storage and carbon capture capabilities, the UAE is ensuring that it remains relevant through every phase of the global energy cycle.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
3
Notes:
⚠️ The article is dated 5 February 2026, but the content primarily references developments up to December 2023, with some information from 2021. The most recent data pertains to a December 2023 announcement by DEWA supporting COP28 objectives to increase green hydrogen production and reduce costs. ([dewa.gov.ae](https://www.dewa.gov.ae/en/about-us/media-publications/latest-news/2023/12/dewa-supports-the-goals-of-cop28?utm_source=openai)) This suggests that the article may be recycling older information, which raises concerns about its freshness.
Quotes check
Score:
2
Notes:
⚠️ The article includes direct quotes from various sources, but these cannot be independently verified. For instance, statements attributed to Musabbeh Al Kaabi, ADNOC Executive Director, and Eng. Bader Saeed Al Lamki, CEO of ADNOC Distribution, are not corroborated by external sources. This lack of verifiable quotes diminishes the credibility of the content.
Source reliability
Score:
2
Notes:
⚠️ The article originates from prnewsreleaser.com, a press release distribution service. Such platforms often disseminate content directly from companies or organizations, which may not undergo independent journalistic scrutiny. This raises concerns about the objectivity and reliability of the information presented.
Plausibility check
Score:
5
Notes:
✅ The claims about the UAE’s green hydrogen initiatives align with known industry trends and previous reports. For example, ADNOC’s announcement in July 2023 about constructing the Middle East’s first high-speed hydrogen refueling station in Masdar City supports the article’s narrative. ([adnoc.ae](https://adnoc.ae/en/news-and-media/press-releases/2023/adnoc-to-launch-first-high-speed-hydrogen-refueling-station-in-the-middle-east?utm_source=openai)) However, the lack of recent data and verifiable quotes limits the ability to fully assess the plausibility of all claims.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
⚠️ The article exhibits significant issues with freshness, source reliability, and the lack of independently verifiable information. The reliance on press releases and unverified quotes, combined with outdated data, undermines the credibility of the content. Given these concerns, the article does not meet the standards for reliable reporting.
