TAQA, Abu Dhabi Ports to build 2 GW green hydrogen project

Green hydrogen is created through electrolysis of water powered by renewable energy. (Shutterstock)
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  • Facility will convert green hydrogen to ammonia
  • Ammonia storage facility provides export opportunity

ABU DHABI: Abu Dhabi National Energy Co. (TAQA) and Abu Dhabi Ports have signed an MOU to build a green hydrogen-to-ammonia project powered by a 2 GW solar array.

The companies plan to build the facility in Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi,WAM reported. It would include a storage facility for green ammonia, potentially creating a hub for the export of the liquid.

Arab economies are vying for a piece of what is predicted to be a $200 billion market for green hydrogen in the Gulf alone by 2050.

The region has the potential to be one of the most competitive globally for green hydrogen production thanks to its abundant wind and solar resources, industrial infrastructure and its location as an export hub, Dii Desert Energy and Roland Berger said in a report on the industry last month.

Green hydrogen is turned into ammonia for long-distance transport before being converted back into hydrogen. Ammonia can also be used as bunker fuel in ships that have been converted to use it.

“Hydrogen requires large-scale low carbon electricity production and desalinated water. TAQA is an internationally recognized leader in both of these,” said Jasim Husain Thabet, TAQA’s Group CEO. “We are pleased to have opened discussions with our partner Abu Dhabi Ports on developing proposals for a major industrial scale facility that, if it goes ahead, would place Abu Dhabi at the heart of the emerging market for green hydrogen.”