Kavan Choksi Examines How the UAE Is Building Momentum Toward a Green Hydrogen Economy

 

Kavan Choksi Explores the UAE’s Approach to Hydrogen Leadership Through Renewable and Blue Energy Pathways

As global energy systems transition away from fossil fuels, the United Arab Emirates is staking a claim in what may become the next cornerstone of clean energy: hydrogen. Once viewed as a distant solution, hydrogen is now moving rapidly into the mainstream, and the UAE is positioning itself as a central player. Kavan Choksi highlights how the nation is developing a dual approach using both renewable and blue hydrogen to lead a new era of decarbonized growth.

Hydrogen offers a flexible and scalable energy source with applications across transport, heavy industry and power generation. When produced using renewable electricity, it emits no carbon, making it a key pillar of climate strategy. The UAE’s efforts to build an integrated hydrogen economy are not only about export potential but also about domestic transformation.

 

Building the Infrastructure for Hydrogen

The UAE has launched major infrastructure initiatives to support hydrogen development. Facilities like the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai and the Al Dhafra Solar Project in Abu Dhabi are being positioned to power electrolyzers, which separate hydrogen from water using renewable electricity. This process produces green hydrogen, a form that is both clean and future-proof.

In addition to this, the UAE is investing in blue hydrogen, which captures carbon emissions produced during hydrogen extraction from natural gas. By using carbon capture technology, the country can bridge its existing natural gas assets with cleaner energy goals. This dual pathway offers flexibility while larger green systems are scaled up.

Strategic Exports and Global Partnerships

Hydrogen is not just a domestic play. The UAE sees a major opportunity in becoming a hydrogen exporter, particularly to markets in Europe and Asia where decarbonization targets are creating strong demand.

To this end, the UAE has formed strategic partnerships with Germany, Japan, and South Korea, exploring joint ventures and long-term supply agreements. Hydrogen hubs are being established near ports to streamline export logistics, and international certification standards are being adopted to ensure market readiness.

These partnerships also support knowledge exchange and investment flows, helping the UAE keep pace with evolving technologies and regulatory frameworks.

Local Benefits and National Vision

Domestically, hydrogen aligns closely with the UAE’s Energy Strategy 2050 and its Net Zero 2050 initiative. The technology supports energy security, economic diversification, and industrial resilience. Hydrogen can power public transit systems, feed into desalination plants, and decarbonize steel and chemical production.

The economic impact is also significant. Developing a hydrogen economy creates jobs in engineering, logistics, research, and clean tech manufacturing. It attracts global firms and fosters innovation that ripples into other sectors.

A Measured Shift With Global Implications

While many countries are still defining their hydrogen strategies, the UAE has moved quickly to develop a clear and actionable roadmap. Its approach blends pragmatism with ambition, leveraging current strengths while preparing for future energy demands.

Kavan Choksi sees the UAE’s hydrogen investments as a strategic pivot with long-term significance. As more nations pursue net-zero goals, hydrogen will become an essential energy carrier. The UAE’s early leadership positions it not only as a regional innovator but also as a global contributor to the evolving energy landscape.