Emirates Global Aluminium PJSC (EGA) signed a Memorandum of Intent with GE Gas Power to convert EGA’s natural gas turbines to hydrogen-powered generators in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its aluminum smelting facilities.

Furthermore, the MoI envisions further research on carbon capture, usage, and storage at the Jebel Ali and Al Taweelah facilities.

EGA now has 33 GE natural gas turbines in operation at its two facilities, with a total power output capacity of 5,200 MW.

The UAE’s Minister of Climate Change and the Environment, Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, said in a news statement that the MoI is a significant step toward the country’s sustainability goals.

“Because decarbonizing industries is a key pillar of the UAE’s Net-Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative, EGA’s intention to convert to hydrogen fuel and extend the usage of carbon capture, utilization, and storage solutions will help us achieve our net-zero goal.” EGA is a role model for the UAE’s industrial firms in terms of environmental sustainability, thanks to its efforts to lower the emission intensity of its activities.”

“Aluminium has a critical role to play in the building of a more sustainable society, and how aluminum is manufactured matters,” said EGA CEO Abdulnasser Bin Kalban. “Aluminium smelting is a high-energy process, with electricity generation accounting for more than half of the worldwide aluminum industry’s greenhouse gas emissions. This collaboration with GE will enable us to determine how we can reduce the carbon intensity of our power generation in the years ahead, including by switching to hydrogen, and is an important step in ensuring EGA’s aluminum can fully contribute to addressing the generational challenge of climate change. It will also help the UAE fulfill its Hydrogen Leadership Roadmap goals.”