Abu Dhabi DoE to develop hydrogen policy, regulatory framework

Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE) has announced that the development of its hydrogen policy and regulatory framework aims to accelerate the UAE’s national hydrogen strategy.

The hydrogen policy and regulatory framework aims to clearly define policies, regulations, standards, and certifications for the emerging hydrogen industry to be globally competitive.

Read: The digital road to the green hydrogen sector

For the design of this regulatory framework, the DoE is working with key Abu Dhabi government and private sector stakeholders, including ADNOC, Mubadala, Masdar, ADQ, TAQA, Emirates Water and Electricity Company, Abu Dhabi Ports, Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy, Department of Economic Development, Department of Municipalities and Transport, Department of Finance and Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi.

The DoE expects to report on the outcomes of the policy and the regulatory framework before the end of 2022.

Engineer Ahmed Mohammed Belajer Al Rumaithi, Undersecretary of the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, said: “A vibrant low carbon hydrogen production and consumption industry will place Abu Dhabi and the UAE at the global forefront of countries producing green energy. It can potentially increase low-carbon hydrogen production in Abu Dhabi to more than a million tonnes per annum by 2030. Locally produced hydrogen will act as a driver of innovation and economic diversification, allowing for the decarbonisation of the economy in line with UAE National Energy Strategy 2050, Net Zero commitment and improved energy security and to support the economic, environmental, and social sustainability requirements of the emirate.”

“This is an opportunity for Abu Dhabi, with its abundant solar resources, to contribute to fulfilling a global need that will create new local industries and jobs, offer growth for existing firms, develop new skill sets, and facilitate more research. It will also stimulate more foreign direct investment in the energy sector.”

.@AbuDhabiDoE is developing a low-carbon hydrogen policy and regulatory framework in collaboration with key government and private sector partners to accelerate the UAE’s national hydrogen strategy and cement #AbuDhabi as a prominent player in the hydrogen market. pic.twitter.com/XSb4Ctquug

— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@admediaoffice) August 22, 2022

Abu Dhabi: hydrogen production

The Hydrogen Council reported in 2021 that hydrogen is an aspiration for the world as a future energy source. Globally, over 30 countries have released hydrogen roadmaps, and the industry has announced more than 200 hydrogen projects and ambitious investment plans. Total investments can exceed $300bn in hydrogen spending through 2030 – the equivalent of 1.4 per cent of global energy funding.

In Abu Dhabi, hydrogen production is underway as a feedstock for ammonia and industrial processes. However, this is mainly grey hydrogen, for which production relies on natural gas. ADNOC has announced plans to increase its carbon capture capacity five-fold from 800,000 tonnes to five million tonnes by 2030. This will make Abu Dhabi one of the world’s lowest-cost and largest producers of blue hydrogen.

Abu Dhabi has a unique competitive advantage as a base for low-carbon hydrogen production with large reserves of natural gas and sunlight. Other advantages include its industrial capacity across the energy value chain, advanced infrastructure, and solid experience in export shipment of flammable materials, central location between large demand markets, and significant financing abilities and enabling foreign investment regulatory frameworks.

Al Rumaithi added: “The UAE announced a high-level Hydrogen Roadmap at COP26 in Glasgow, and the DoE is working closely with all stakeholders to leverage our resources and capabilities to position our country as a world-leading low-carbon hydrogen hub, a key trade partner and supplier of low carbon hydrogen.”

Also read: Development to begin on the region’s first waste-to-hydrogen plant in the UAE