Saudi Arabia advocates for hydrogen

Partagez:

Saudi Arabia aims to become a global supplier of renewable, low-carbon hydrogen.

Multiple advantages

Saudi Arabia wants to configure renewable hydrogen production standards. The objective is to meet the market requirements in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. The head of hydrogen at the Saudi Ministry of Energy, believes thathydrogen will be a key component of the future energy mix.

He also states that Saudi Arabia would produce 4 million tons of “clean” hydrogen per year by 2030. However, this amount may be subject to change if demand increases. Furthermore, the country does not differentiate between renewable and “blue” hydrogen, preferring to focus on carbon intensity.

A transition phase

Saudi Arabia believes that it is not realistic to switch from fossil fuel-derived hydrogen to electrolytic production without delay. Especially if renewable energies are used to power this production. Blue hydrogen, derived from natural gas, is an essential transition due to the scale of the technology.

Saudi Arabia plans to produce 650 tons per day of renewable hydrogen in its Neom project starting in 2026. In addition, the Neom project will integrate 4GW of wind and solar power. Finally, Air Products is developing a hydrogen plant in Jubail using natural gas.

A regulation

Regulation is needed to spur the adoption of clean hydrogen for chemicals and hydrogen, according to Saudi Aramco. The company is focusing on exports, targeting 11 million tons per year of low-carbon hydrogen by 2030. In addition, the first use cases would be the existing refining and fertilizer production markets.

Ammonia is a ready end market and transportation mode for hydrogen. Pipelines would be the cheapest supply solution in the medium term. In the long term, green products such as steel produced from renewable hydrogen could become the key end market.

Lhyfe becomes the first French producer to obtain European RFNBO certification, delivering the first batches of certified hydrogen and opening access to new support mechanisms for the industrial sector.
Tree Energy Solutions and CPC Finland will produce 125,000 tonnes annually of e-NG at the Finnish port of Rauma, targeting European and international markets with a significant investment.
The European Commission grants €3.5mn to support preparatory work for a Franco-German cross-border network aimed at transporting hydrogen between the Grand Est region and Baden-Württemberg starting in 2029.
French company McPhy Energy awaits a court decision regarding offers submitted during its judicial reorganization, paving the way for probable liquidation and potential delisting of its shares.
The majority-Indigenous-owned Canadian manufacturer HyVera Distributed Energy is introducing an eCat pellet that instantly produces ultra-pure green hydrogen without external electricity and is counting on two pilot plants to simplify industrial supply.
Underground hydrogen storage, essential to support its growth, continues to face significantly higher costs than natural gas storage, along with major technical challenges hindering its competitiveness against conventional energies.
Singapore-based hydrogen specialist Hydrexia seals a protocol with Indonesian gas giant Samator to deploy purification, transport and storage of hydrogen, betting on rapidly growing local demand and export outlets to the Asia-Pacific region.
Cadiz Inc. signs a memorandum of understanding with British company Hoku Energy for a large-scale energy project including green hydrogen, solar power, and digital infrastructure in the Californian desert, projecting annual revenues of up to $10mn.
BP indefinitely halts its blue hydrogen project at the Whiting refinery in Indiana, raising questions about the future of federal funding and the impact on regional plans for a decarbonized hydrogen sector in the United States.
The Polish energy group ORLEN receives a non-repayable grant of €382 million from the National Recovery Plan to finance its renewable and low-emission hydrogen production initiatives.
Georgia Power and Mitsubishi Power announce successful completion of an unprecedented test incorporating 50% hydrogen into an advanced gas turbine, reducing CO2 emissions by 22% compared to natural gas alone.
Neoenergia has begun construction of one of Brazil's first green hydrogen plants, aimed at supplying heavy and light vehicles, with an investment exceeding 30 million Brazilian reais ($5.99mn).
The SA-H2 fund, supported by international partnerships and local institutional backing, mobilises 37 million USD to develop export-oriented green hydrogen from South Africa, with an initial concrete project announced.
Turbotech reports successful combustion testing of a hydrogen turboprop, developed through digital simulation with Ansys, marking an industrial milestone in light aircraft using alternative fuel.
France Hydrogène responds to the Cour des Comptes report published on June 5, criticising an incomplete reading of updated targets and the economic impacts of decarbonised hydrogen development.
The Belfort Commercial Court has opened a judicial reorganisation procedure for McPhy, while a renewed call for tenders for its asset sale is now set to close on 13 June.
Plug Power CFO Paul Middleton acquired 650,000 shares on the market, affirming his support for the long-term strategy of the hydrogen-focused company.
The Canadian government is funding an initiative to support 40 SMEs in British Columbia’s hydrogen sector, aiming to increase foreign investment and expand international market share.
Developer CWP Global has paused its $40 billion AMAN project in Mauritania due to a lack of buyers for green ammonia despite favourable local conditions.
A study reveals that the profitability of African green hydrogen exports to the European Union depends on political support from Europe, despite the abundance of ongoing projects on the continent.