UAE joins international alliance promoting global transition to hydrogen

The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure has announced  that the UAE has joined the International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy (IPHE), according to a report  published by the state news agency, WAM.

IPHE is an international governmental partnership that facilitates and accelerates the transition to clean and efficient energy as well as mobility systems using hydrogen and fuel cell technologies across applications and sectors.

Sharif Al Olama, under-secretary of the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure for Energy and Petroleum Affairs, who signed the agreement with IPHE, emphasised the UAE’s interest to support the organisation and contribute to the sector’s local, regional and international development.

Joining the global initiative aims to support the country’s long-term policies related to energy and hydrogen and attract foreign investments, he added.

Additionally, the alliance will enable access to a global hydrogen knowledge database and encourage cooperation with related initiatives and concerned entities.

“The UAE is aware that the transition to clean energy, especially hydrogen, which is considered the future of global energy systems and the wider economy, will help meet future energy requirements, mitigate the risks posed by climate change, improve the efficiency of energy systems, and protect natural resources and the environment,” Al Olama said.

“We are working hard to upgrade the UAE Energy Strategy 2050, to drive our aim to become among the leading countries in the field of hydrogen energy. We have recently launched the Hydrogen Leadership Roadmap, which is a comprehensive national blueprint to support domestic, low-carbon industries, contribute to the country’s net-zero ambition and establish the country as a competitive exporter of hydrogen,” he added.

Noe van Holst, president of IPHE welcomed the UAE’s accession to the IPHE as the first country in the Middle East to join the international initiative. “We look forward to working together to accelerate the adoption of hydrogen as a trusted source of energy worldwide,” he said.