Masdar to develop 4GW green hydrogen plants in Egypt by 2030

UAE’s Masdar and Hassan Allam Utilities, the investment and development arm of the Egyptian Hassan Allam Holding Group, announced on Monday two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with other Egyptian state-backed organisations to develop green hydrogen production plants in the Suez Canal Economic Zone and on the Mediterranean coast, in alignment with Egypt's Vision 2030 and sustainable development strategy.

“These projects will build on the UAE’s and Masdar’s position as an early mover in the global hydrogen market and expand our capacity to deliver zero carbon energy solutions. As our two countries prepare to host the next two COPs, we look forward to working with our partners in Egypt to make practical advances in the energy transition that will provide significant benefits for the economy and the climate,” said Dr Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, UAE Special Envoy for Climate Change and Chairman of Masdar.

In the first phase of the project, the companies will establish a green hydrogen manufacturing facility by 2026, producing 100,000 tonnes of e-methanol annually for bunkering in the Suez Canal.

The electrolyser facilities in the Suez Canal Economic Zone and on the Mediterranean could be extended to up to 4 GW by 2030 to produce 2.3 million tonnes of green ammonia for export as well as supply green hydrogen for local industries

“Through this partnership with Masdar we are looking to harness the leading edge of technology to make a difference in Egypt by leveraging the country’s abundant sources of green energy,” said Amr Allam, Chief Executive Officer of Hassan Allam Holding.

Masdar and Hassan Allam Utilities said they see Egypt as a hub for green hydrogen production, targeting the bunkering market and export to Europe.

The Egyptian Ministry of Electricity is revising its 2030 renewable energy strategy to include green hydrogen, and is developing a new green hydrogen strategy, to be issued by October 2022.

The companies said that the two MoUs support Egypt’s vision of expanding renewable and clean energy projects.