AD Ports and Masdar Forge Alliance for UAE’s Hydrogen Hub

AD Ports Group and Masdar, prominent entities in global trade and clean energy respectively, have inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the UN Climate Change Conference, COP28, in Dubai.

This collaborative effort aims to explore the establishment of a green hydrogen production hub within the Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (KEZAD), aligning with the UAE’s National Hydrogen Strategy.

The UAE’s ambitious National Hydrogen Strategy seeks to elevate local hydrogen production to 1.4 million tons annually by 2031 and an impressive 15 million tons per annum by 2050. As part of this grand vision, Masdar, known as the UAE’s clean energy powerhouse, targets an annual global green hydrogen production capacity of up to 1 million tons by 2030. This collaborative initiative signifies a crucial step in meeting these targets.

With hydrogen poised to play a pivotal role in reducing global emissions by over 20 percent by 2050, the partnership between AD Ports and Masdar comes at a critical juncture. The growing demand for hydrogen in recent years underscores its significance as a key player in the transition to cleaner energy solutions.

The envisioned hydrogen production hub within KEZAD is poised to become a cornerstone of the UAE’s hydrogen endeavors. This hub could encompass export terminals for green products, positioning Abu Dhabi as a global hub for the production and export of hydrogen and its derivatives. The ripple effect of this development extends to attracting investments into the green hydrogen value chain, fostering the growth of green industries for KEZAD and Khalifa Port tenants.

Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO of AD Ports Group, sees this MoU as a monumental step, aligning perfectly with their green H2 valley strategy. The collaboration reflects shared ambitions to position Abu Dhabi as a significant international hub for hydrogen production and export, aligning with the UAE’s economic diversification goals.

Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO of Masdar, emphasizes the potential of green hydrogen to decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors and fast-track the journey to net zero. This collaboration will explore measures to encourage the use of green hydrogen in port operations and vessel fuels, contributing to the global effort to reduce carbon footprint.