- KAUST, NEOM’s ERIF and ENOWA partner to advance Saudi Arabia’s green hydrogen economy.
- The alliance focuses on efficient hydrogen production, storage, and conversion into sustainable fuels.
- Saudi Arabia targets 50% renewable energy by 2030 to lead the global hydrogen market.
Saudi Arabia’s hydrogen economy gains momentum as King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) forms a strategic partnership with NEOM’s Education, Research, and Innovation Foundation (ERIF) and ENOWA.
This collaboration aims to propel the Kingdom toward becoming a global leader in renewable energy and hydrogen production. A two-day summit brings together key figures from KAUST, ERIF, ENOWA, and other significant stakeholders, including Saudi Aramco, Imperial, HyET, Cruise Saudi, Nxt7, and Dow. Participants discuss progress, challenges, and opportunities in advancing Saudi Arabia’s green hydrogen economy.
Discussions focus on cost-effective methods for producing green hydrogen and ammonia, their application in sustainable aviation and marine fuels, advancements in electrolyser technology, and the logistics of hydrogen transportation and storage.
Donal Bradley, Executive Director of NEOM’s ERIF, emphasises the significance of this partnership in driving the Kingdom’s hydrogen ambitions. “This alliance with KAUST positions Saudi Arabia as a leader in developing efficient hydrogen technologies,” Bradley says.
Pierre Magistretti, Vice President of Research at KAUST, highlights the university’s active role in hydrogen research, mainly through the new Center of Excellence (CoE) on Renewables and Energy Storage. The centre, a key component of KAUST’s Strategic Plan, concentrates on hydrogen-related research to drive impactful advancements.
Roland Kaeppner, Managing Director of Hydrogen and Green Fuels at ENOWA, stresses the importance of collaboration in maintaining Saudi Arabia’s leadership in hydrogen research. “Offering our Hydrogen Innovation Development Center to KAUST and NEOM’s ERIF ensures Saudi Arabia stays at the forefront of hydrogen research,” Kaeppner states.
Saudi Arabia plans to generate 50% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030. The Kingdom also targets becoming the world’s top hydrogen producer and supplier. Its commitment to a circular carbon economy and achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2060 underscores its dedication to enhancing hydrogen production from renewable sources.
This partnership between KAUST, NEOM, and ENOWA accelerates these efforts and strengthens Saudi Arabia’s position in the global hydrogen economy.