Saudi Arabia shoots for hydrogen supremacy

Riyadh has belatedly revealed its ambitions to lead the world in production of both blue and green hydrogen

Saudi Arabia has been slower than regional oil rivals the UAE and Oman to set out its hydrogen plans. But when it did unveil its intentions last month, they turned out to be predictably ambitious. Half-measures are anathema to de factor ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, at least on paper. Despite talk of diversification, the government has no intention of ceding its pivotal position in the global energy industry—whatever its future form—without a fight. So it was that Energy Minister Abdelaziz bin Salman, an oil industry veteran better known for his dogged insistence about the world’s continued need for Saudi Arabia's legacy products, took to the stage at the first Saudi Green Initiati