Artist’s impression of Saudi Arabia’s NEOM project
Middle East’s hydrogen ambitions need big investment
The region’s superfluity of renewable energy resources mean it has great potential as a hydrogen developer, but it will come at no small cost
With abundant solar and wind energy potential, the Middle East is keen to develop its renewable energy generation and hydrogen production potential. According to the Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA), the Gulf Cooperation Council’s (GCC’s) hydrogen market could experience a compound annual growth rate of 15% between 2022 and 2050, resulting in potential revenues of $120–200b/yr. However, achieving this will require significant capex in renewable energy capacity, infrastructure, electrolyser development and installation, and hydrogen deployment. Installing the renewable and electrolyser capacities needed would require $16–60b/yr over the next 25 years, with approximately 30
Also in this section
11 March 2025
A reassessment of clean hydrogen’s growth trajectory is underway, but the energy vector’s long-term potential to decarbonise remains intact
10 March 2025
Collaboration has become crucial to success as projects turn out to be more complex and expensive than previously thought, industry figures tell Dubai conference
8 March 2025
Honouring the trailblazing women shaping the future of hydrogen
5 March 2025
E-fuels remain too expensive for many buyers, but emerging policies in the maritime sector could boost their prospects in that key market
