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A transformative shift in the Middle East is underway to meet growing energy demands. At the forefront of this transition is hydrogen.

Signifying a pivotal move towards sustainable energy solutions and regional decarbonization, the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) has announced the construction of the Middle East’s first high-speed hydrogen refueling station in Masdar City. The station’s innovative technology will produce clean hydrogen from water, utilizing an electrolyzer powered by renewable and clean grid electricity.

ADNOC has also forged a strategic partnership with Toyota Motor Corporation and Al-Futtaim Motors to conduct testing on the high-speed hydrogen refueling station using a fleet of clean hydrogen-powered vehicles. This collaborative effort aims to gather essential data on hydrogen transportation technology’s performance, thereby supporting the development of the UAE hydrogen infrastructure.

H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Managing Director and Group CEO of ADNOC, emphasized that hydrogen is a crucial fuel in the global energy transition, playing a vital role in decarbonizing economies on a large scale. He added that venturing into hydrogen technology is a natural extension of ADNOC’s core business. 

The pilot program will help ADNOC gain valuable insights into the potential of high-speed hydrogen refueling for mobility projects, aligning with the UAE’s National Hydrogen Strategy, which aims to position the country as one of the leading hydrogen producers globally by 2031.

Regarding plans, once completed later this year, ADNOC Distribution will operate the Masdar City hydrogen refueling station. Simultaneously, a second station in Dubai Golf City will feature a conventional hydrogen fueling system. The company has set aside $15 billion to accelerate the development of lower-carbon solutions, new energies, and decarbonization technologies.