Dubai inaugurates a "green hydrogen" project, the first of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa region

 His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy and Chairman of the Expo 2020 Dubai Supreme Committee, inaugurated the "green hydrogen" project at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Energy Complex in Dubai, in a new step by which the emirate affirms its leadership in the energy field. Clean and renewable, and its insistence on providing all the ingredients that enhance its position as a development model based on adopting innovative ideas and employing the latest and most efficient technologies, which supports the UAE's orientations in establishing strong foundations for the future with distinct projects that ensure a better quality of life full of opportunities and free of challenges.

His Highness said on this occasion: “The clear vision established by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to ensure the leadership of the UAE in various fields is the basis on which we start implementing huge and distinguished projects that provide a model and example in The field of development aimed at ensuring human happiness and providing a better quality of life for all contributes to discovering more opportunities and is devoid of challenges that may hinder the march of progress in which our country is proceeding with steady steps and clear plans so that the leadership position is always the share of our country with ideas and arms of its people and strategic partnerships that confirm the speed of development And achievement ".

The pilot project was implemented in cooperation between DEWA, ​​Expo 2020 Dubai and Siemens Energy at the Authority’s external testing facilities at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Energy Complex, and it was the first project of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa region. Africa to produce green hydrogen using solar energy, and the plant was designed and built to be able to accommodate future applications and test platforms for various uses of hydrogen including transportation and industrial uses.

The development of the hydrogen economy

In his opening speech during the inauguration of the project, Saeed Al Tayer, Managing Director and CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, said: “This pioneering project is part of our efforts to realize the vision of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Vice President and Prime Minister of the State and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, to promote sustainability, innovation, and a shift towards a sustainable green economy, "expressing his thanks to the authority's partners in implementing the project, noting that The authority has worked on studying and developing an experimental project for green mobility using hydrogen that could be implemented in the near future.

He pointed out that this year witnessed important developments in the hydrogen sector, as His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, may God protect him, recently adopted the National Hydrogen Vehicle System with the aim of developing the hydrogen economy in the UAE, opening local markets to hydrogen vehicles and encouraging an increase in the number of environmentally friendly vehicles. .

Al Tayer stressed that the Electricity Authority will continue to work on creating unique experiences that enhance the happiness of all stakeholders and contribute to making Dubai the smartest and happiest city in the world, so that the year of celebrating the golden jubilee of the state’s founding is a starting point towards further progress, growth and prosperity by working on innovating proactive solutions to the fifty-year challenges. The next step is to fulfill the wise leadership's vision that the UAE will be the best country in the world by its centenary in the year 2071.

Al Tayer indicated that the project supports the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 to provide 75% of energy production capacity from clean energy sources by 2050.

As well as the Dubai Green Mobility 2030 initiative, which aims to stimulate the use of sustainable transportation, as the emirate has a future vision for the energy sector represented in expanding the use of clean energy and employing digital solutions, smart networks, the tools of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and disruptive technologies because of their impacts on the energy and water sectors.

Quantum leap

On this occasion, Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, UAE Special Envoy for Climate Change affirmed that the "green hydrogen" project constitutes a quantum leap in the field of renewable and clean energy in the UAE, noting the important national efforts made by the state in the file of sustainability and fruitful cooperation between federal authorities. And local.

He pointed out that the Council of Ministers approved, last March, the UAE system for hydrogen vehicles, a project prepared by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, and represents a cornerstone for providing comprehensive regulatory legislation for the mechanisms and technologies of vehicles, facilities and equipment related to hydrogen fuel, and ensures safety and efficiency in use in a way that contributes to achieving sustainable growth that balances Between economic development and sustainability aspects. "

Al-Jaber said: “The leadership and development of the hydrogen economy is an important priority within the sustainable and environmentally friendly future industries, and is in line with national efforts to reduce the repercussions of climate change through a comprehensive and integrated response and coordination of roles and efforts locally, regionally and internationally.”

His Excellency congratulated the wise leadership and the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority and its partners for launching this important project, which strengthens the position of the UAE as a global destination for pioneering future industries.

Global leadership

For his part, Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, said: “The UAE is one of the world's leading countries in relying on renewable energy. The UAE was one of the first countries to ratify the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, and we are keen to confirm our full commitment to promoting the Paris Agreement and strengthening the desired international cooperation in this regard, which is to work towards a low carbon economy, ”indicating that the country's future orientation is based on exploiting hydrogen sources to obtain Energy, meeting the growing demand for it, and ensuring reliable, affordable, and low-carbon energy, which represents a real lever for national economies and sustainable development that supports the future trends of the next fifty years, with the challenges and opportunities it bears.

A strategic priority

Abdullah bin Mohammed Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, said: “Promoting energy transformation is a strategic priority for the UAE as part of its drive towards a green economy, and strengthening efforts to confront the challenge of climate change and adapt to its repercussions. Energy and increasing reliance on clean sources. "

He added, "According to the International Energy Agency, the demand for hydrogen as an energy source has registered a growth rate of 3 times during the last period, and the volume of global production has reached 70 million metric tons annually, which will contribute to reducing its production cost by up to 64% by 2040. The inauguration of the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority of the green hydrogen project represents an important step to contribute to strengthening the UAE's presence on the map of the global hydrogen market, as it will enhance its efforts to work for the environment, climate and achieve carbon neutrality.

A culture of innovation

Reem Al Hashemi, Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director-General of the Dubai Expo 2020 Bureau, said: “The project embodies the common desire of Expo 2020 Dubai, DEWA, ​​our sustainable energy partner, and Siemens Energy to develop a global culture of innovation and spread life-changing ideas and technologies. In the field of sustainability. "

She expresses her appreciation to all those involved in this innovative project. "

Dr. Christian Broch, CEO and Chairman of Siemens Energy, said: “As the first project to be launched on a large scale industrial scale production of green hydrogen in the MENA region, it undoubtedly represents a milestone in the transformation of the energy sector, and we look forward to working together to reduce From the carbon footprint in industries, especially energy-intensive, which is difficult to rely on renewable energy alone, stressing that the project highlights the importance of partnership in pushing forward new and innovative clean energy solutions and addressing the major challenge facing the world resulting from climate change.

It is reported that the electrolysis of water is a process of separating water into its two main components, which are oxygen and hydrogen, using an electric current.

This technology allows storing large quantities of energy for long periods, and hydrogen can be used to produce energy through engines, gas turbines and fuel cells, and it can also be used as a feedstock for chemical industries (such as ammonia, industrial fuels, etc.), as a fuel for transportation, and as a depressant in steel industries. And to produce the heat needed for industrial processes, in addition to the possibility of using it for heating and cooking purposes in homes, as well as energy that can be exported.

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