The UAE made its presence felt at COP27 with Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) leading a series of wide-ranging discussions on the energy transition, the path to net-zero, the role of youth, putting sustainability at the heart of humanitarian responses, food security, energy for Africa, and gender challenges in climate change.
Masdar, the Abu Dhabi government-owned clean energy company, was involved in the ADSW event in Sharm el Sheikh, with sessions on sustainable cities and new frontiers in green buildings.
As well as participating in the ADSW ‘Together for Implementation’ agenda at COP27, Masdar signed a framework agreement with Hassan Allam Utilities, Infinity Power and Egyptian state-backed entities – Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE), the Egyptian New and Renewable Energy Authority (NREA), Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC), and The Sovereign Fund of Egypt (TSFE) – to develop green hydrogen and derivatives’ production facilities.
The first plant is scheduled to be operational by 2026, with a capacity target of 4 GW by 2030 and an output of up to 480,000 tons of green hydrogen annually. Initially, capacity is expected to be 2 GW for the Suez Canal Economic Zone development.
This agreement extends Masdar’s presence in Egypt – the company has also announced a 10 GW wind energy project in the country, also in conjunction with Infinity Power and Hassan Allam Utilities. It is expected to be one of the world’s largest wind farms, with the developers claiming it will reduce carbon dioxide emission by 23.8 million tonnes per year, which is equivalent to nine percent of Egypt’s current CO2 emissions. Egypt has set a target of 42 percent renewables in its energy mix by 2035.
Dr Sultan Al Jaber, UAE minister of industry and advanced technology, Masdar chairman and UAE Special Envoy for Climate, says the latest agreement “serves to strengthen the ties between the UAE and the Republic of Egypt and highlights our two nations’ commitment to delivering zero-carbon energy solutions.”
According to Mohammed Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO of Masdar, the green hydrogen project “stands to bolster Egypt’s energy independence and enable the production of high-value green hydrogen derivatives for export, like green ammonia.”
“Through Egypt’s hosting of COP27, our two countries have also been able to exchange expertise and share insights that we will take forward and build on in the UAE when we host COP28 next year,” Dr Al Jaber added.
The green hydrogen plant is the first project of its type for Infinity Power. Mohamed Ismail Mansour, chairman, Infinity Power says, “The project is expected to facilitate economic growth for the country, as well as help position Egypt as a green fuel hub, propelling the country forward on its journey in becoming a green economy.”
Amr Allam, CEO of Hassan Allam Holding says, “We are proud to contribute to the development of green hydrogen production facilities in Egypt while leveraging the country’s abundant natural resources.”
Photo Credit : IRENA at COP27