Abu Dhabi’s ports and logistics giant AD Ports Group and clean energy developer Masdar have joined forces to explore the development of a green hydrogen production hub within the Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (KEZAD).
A memorandum of understanding penned on the sidelines of the COP28 in Dubai envisions a hydrogen production hub that will serve both domestic and export markets. The move is part of the UAE’s strategy that aims to scale up local hydrogen production to 1.4m tons per year by 2031, and 15m tons per year by 2050.
Masdar is targeting an annual global green hydrogen production capacity of up to 1m tons by 2030 and has already signed and executed several collaboration agreements to meet this goal, including those with Spain’s Iberdrola and Amsterdam port.
Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi CEO of Masdar, said: “Green hydrogen has enormous potential to decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors and accelerate the journey to net zero. Given more than 80% of global trade is transported by sea, partnerships like this are vital to ensure integrated green hydrogen value chains. Working with AD Ports Group, we’ll explore measures to further decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors by encouraging the use of green hydrogen in port operations and as vessel fuels, while facilitating the import and export of hydrogen.”
AD Ports said the project could include export terminals of green products to overseas ports, which would attract more investments into the green hydrogen value chain in Abu Dhabi, as well as offer current and future KEZAD and Khalifa Port tenants the opportunity to develop green industries.
“The signing of this MoU with Masdar is a monumental step for AD Ports Group. It aligns perfectly with our green H2 valley strategy, amplifying our efforts to create a robust UAE H2 platform for developing green and blue hydrogen projects both domestically and globally,” added Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, managing director and CEO of AD Ports Group.
