- Siemens Energy and Mubadala enter into strategic partnership to advance green hydrogen development in Abu Dhabi
- Siemens Energy is working with Masdar and partners to develop clean hydrogen-based fuel
Siemens Energy is advancing the development of green hydrogen ecosystems in the United Arab Emirates. As part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, two Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) were signed with the Mubadala Investment Company as well as Masdar and other partners to jointly promote the expansion of the green hydrogen sector and the production of synthetic fuels in the UAE.
Strategic partnership with Mubadala
On January 17, Siemens Energy and Mubadala Investment Company (Mubadala), the state-owned, global investment company from Abu Dhabi, signed a letter of intent (MoU). The aim is to build a strategic partnership to drive investment and development of cutting-edge technology, equipment manufacturing, and the production of green hydrogen and synthetic fuels. The initial focus of activities will be in Abu Dhabi and there are plans to expand this to other international markets over time.
“Mubadala is deeply committed to developing the hydrogen economy in the UAE and we look forward to expanding our relationship with Siemens Energy in this important, emerging energy sector,” said Musabbeh Al Kaabi, UAE chief executive officer, Mubadala Investment Company. “Through this strategic partnership, we expect to be able to leverage Abu Dhabi’s strong foundations for the production and sale of green hydrogen, demonstrate a strong business case and attract investment in new facility development, and Abu
Dhabi as a reliable supplier of green hydrogen for emerging global markets. ”As part of the partnership, the companies will work intensively on the following goals:
- Use renewable energies to produce green hydrogen and its derivatives, including synthetic fuels, to provide clean and transportable energy from the United Arab Emirates for new hydrogen-based ecosystems
- Establish Abu Dhabi as a global player in green hydrogen and synthetic fuels
- Together to advance the technology and reduce the costs of producing green hydrogen and synthetic fuels, enable Siemens Energy and Mubadala to access emerging hydrogen markets and create added value for both parties
The first initiative under this agreement and the broader Abu Dhabi Hydrogen Alliance will be the design of a demonstration plant in Masdar City, which is to be developed together with partners under a special agreement between Siemens Energy and Masdar.
Hydrogen demonstration facility in Masdar City
Siemens Energy, together with Masdar, one of the world’s leading renewable energy companies, announced that it is working with Etihad Airways, Deutsche Lufthansa, Marubeni Corporation and Khalifa University on an ambitious project that paves the way will pave the development of a green hydrogen economy in the UAE.
The organizations signed a memorandum of understanding aiming to build a photovoltaic (PV) powered electrolyser facility to demonstrate the latest technology for producing green hydrogen and showcase sustainable use cases for e-fuels.
The first phase of the demonstration program will focus on the production of green hydrogen for cars and buses in the Masdar City area. In parallel, a kerosene synthesis plant is being built to convert the majority of the green hydrogen into sustainable aviation fuel. In the second phase of the program, research is being carried out into the production of decarbonised fuels for the maritime sector. Through the program, the participating organizations can help to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of the United Arab Emirates, create a domestic demand for sustainable fuels and build a local know-how and industry base for their production.
“Green hydrogen has the potential to become the fundamental fuel for a future clean economy and will be a critical factor in decarbonization strategies if we are to meet climate goals and create a more sustainable future for all,” said Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer from Masdar. “Masdar has been researching hydrogen production and generation for more than a decade – today we believe the time is right to accelerate investments in this technology.”
Thomas Bareiß, Parliamentary State Secretary in the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi): “I am pleased to be a witness to these cooperation agreements, which underline the strategic partnership between Germany and the UAE in the field of hydrogen. It offers great potential for decarbonisation and economic cooperation between our countries and companies. The new agreements are not only groundbreaking with a view to the goals of our hydrogen strategy, they also underline the value of the German-Emirati energy partnership that accompanies the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. Sustainable, efficient and renewable energy technologies and services have been actively promoted through bilateral exchange since 2016. ”
“These significant agreements underscore the importance of working with a strong and diverse group of partners across all industrial sectors to advance and realize the decarbonization potential of green hydrogen,” said Armin Schnettler, Executive Vice President New Energy Business at Siemens Energy. “The future-oriented attitude of the United Arab Emirates offers a strong basis for a successful green hydrogen economy and is the basis for a new ecosystem.”
“These agreements underscore the importance of strong partnerships and the determination of governments to invest in innovative technologies to drive sustainable growth and decarbonization,” said Dietmar Siersdorfer, Managing Director Siemens Energy Middle East. “We are proud that Siemens Energy is recognized as the partner of choice because we have pioneered this area by using PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane) electrolysis to generate green hydrogen from renewable energy. We look forward to developing and using the many applications of green hydrogen throughout the value chain. ”
Background on hydrogen
Hydrogen, the most abundant element in the universe, can be mixed with fossil fuels or used as a substitute for them in a variety of applications. Green hydrogen – generated by renewable energies – is likely to play a crucial role in the decarbonization effort in many industries. Siemens Energy is a pioneer in the field of green hydrogen and uses Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) technology to convert electricity from renewable energies into “green” hydrogen and oxygen. There are no CO2 emissions. The hydrogen can then be stored for use in fuel cell cars, as an industrial gas or even as fuel for a power plant.
Siemens Energy Global GmbH & Co. KG
Siemens Energy is one of the world’s leading energy technology companies. The company is working with its customers and partners on the energy systems of the future, thereby supporting the transition to a more sustainable world. With its portfolio of products, solutions and services, Siemens Energy covers almost the entire energy value chain – from energy generation and transmission to storage. The portfolio includes conventional and renewable energy technology, for example gas and steam turbines, hydrogen-powered hybrid power plants, generators and transformers. More than 50 percent of the portfolio has already been decarbonised. With the majority stake in the listed Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy (SGRE), Siemens Energy is one of the world market leaders in renewable energies. An estimated one sixth of the world’s electricity generation is based on technologies from Siemens Energy. Siemens Energy employs more than 90,000 people in more than 90 countries worldwide and achieved sales of around 27.5 billion euros in fiscal year 2020.
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