Gulf hydrogen ambitions edge closer to reality

Hydrogen projects worth more than $40bn announced in Oman, Saudi Arabia and the UAE over past 18 months as governments eye first-mover advantage

The UAE’s landmark commitment this month to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050—the first country to do so from a region that pumps more than a fifth of the world’s crude—caps a period of rapid realignment for the main Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) hydrocarbons producers. Hydrogen projects worth more than $40bn have been announced in Oman, Saudi Arabia and the UAE over the past 18 months. Some are more credible and concrete than others: stakeholders in a proposed 25GW renewables and green hydrogen hub in Oman announced by Hong Kong-based Intercontinental Energy in May do not envisage even taking a decision on going ahead for another five years. The region enjoys inherent competitive str