UAE, UK companies to explore 2 GW hydrogen hubs

Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc), BP and Masdar have signed strategic framework agreements to explore the potential for developing clean hydrogen hubs in both the UK and UAE at a scale of at least 2 gigawatts.

The three partners will seek to collaborate on UK and UAE clean hydrogen hub development at an initial scale of 1GW in the UAE and 1GW in the UK, building on the UAE’s position as an anchor investor in some of the UK’s largest offshore wind projects.

The partners’ commitments can help ensure both countries are well-positioned to become regional leaders in the new hydrogen economy and support both countries’ ambitious climate targets. The UK is committed to achieving 5 GW of low-carbon hydrogen by 2030. UAE also eyes to be a leading player in the hydrogen market. It has set a goal to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 23.5% compared to business as usual for the year 2030.

Adnoc and BP will collaborate on jointly identifying potential partnerships in greenfield carbon capture and underground storage and methane detection platforms. CCUS has been built successfully at a commercial scale in the UK and UAE through the Teesside and Al Reyadah facilities, respectively. Both will also set up a joint smart decision centre initiative to support possible development and deployment of remote digital capabilities, energy efficiency etc.

Moreover, Masdar and BP will explore opportunities to develop, build and operate sustainable energy and mobility solutions in urban population centres, distributed renewables generation, energy storage etc.

Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, said, “These initiatives will make a direct contribution to the ‘Principles of the 50,’ the economic blueprint for sustainable growth recently announced by the UAE’s leadership.”

Bernard Looney, CEO of BPcutive Officer, said: “We see a massive business opportunity to generate the clean energy the world wants and needs – and at the same time revitalize local economies and create the jobs of the future.”