The United Arab Emirates and Germany have discussed cooperation in green hydrogen energy during Abu Dhabi Sustainable Week.

A virtual meeting between the task force from the ‘Declaration of Intent’ of the joint cooperation signed by both countries in 2017, discussed cooperation between the two countries for green hydrogen production and support projects in the area.

His Excellency Eng. Sharif Al Olama, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure for Energy and Petroleum Affairs, chaired the sixth meeting with Dr. Patrick Graichen, State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action.

The meeting was attended by His Excellency Eng. Ahmed Al Kaabi, Assistant Undersecretary for Petroleum, Gas and Mineral Resources, and His Excellency Eng. Yousef Al Ali, Assistant Undersecretary for the Electricity, Water and Future Energy Sector at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure.

Ambassador of Germany in the UAE Ernst Peter Fischer, and Oliver Oehms, CEO of the German Emirati Joint Council for Industry and Commerce attended the meeting with other energy officials in both countries and representatives from the private sector.

At the meeting, Al Olama stated that the joint task force announced in November 2021, aims to boost the benefit of the bilateral ties in the clean energy sector, particularly the green hydrogen through strengthening the collaboration and ties between both countries, private sector, research institutes and organizing a forum to discuss the challenges in the green hydrogen market and achieve Paris Agreement goals.

The participants discussed renewable energy systems including energy markets and regional connectivity, as well as, exploring ways to exchange knowledge, regional cooperation, and improve energy efficiency in the industry and buildings and enhance exchanging practices in the sustainable cooling systems.

Moreover, they discussed climate change challenges and the possibility to make a strategic dialogue between UAE and Germany before COP28, in addition to empowering women in the energy sector and support joint initiatives and innovation centers between the two countries.

Al Olama, welcomed the participants in the meeting and commended the bilateral ties between the UAE and Germany to develop the coordination in different sectors, particularly the energy sector.

He pointed that both countries achieved success after five years of signing the ‘Declaration of Intent’ with hopes to endure the joint work for the benefit of both sides.

Al Olama, briefed the German officials about the developments in the UAE’s energy sector, mainly projects of the 50, and unique initiatives and ambitious projects by the country for transformation into renewable, clean energy, in line with the global targets of climate change, Paris agreement and the UAE’s strategic initiative to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, as well as, latest preparation by the UAE for hosting the United Nations Climate Conference COP28 in 2023.

He talked about the latest changes in the energy sector amid the current situation and the country’s efforts for the efficiency of the energy sector.

He affirmed that UAE is a pioneer in developing renewable and clean energy and searching for alternative solutions in the energy sector to support sustainable development.

He said that hydrogen energy is one of the options to achieve sustainable development in the UAE with the possibility of producing from the available sources such as oil, gas, and renewable sources like solar energy and wind in addition to geothermal energy and from fossil fuel sources.

He added that UAE managed to grow in the clean energy sector in a record time, particularly hydrogen as a promised source of future energy.

He invited companies, Emirati and German business community to take advantage of the bilateral ties between the two countries and discover investment opportunities in the energy, oil, gas, and hydrogen sectors which are a considerable pillar of the national economy of the two friendly countries.

Moreover, Al Olama, participated in a workshop titled (Enabling Global Hydrogen Trade) as part of the joint work between the two countries. The workshop meant to exchange views on hydrogen trade, the role of the UAE and Germany in this sector, supportive plans to boost the global trade-related to hydrogen transportation means, and issuing verified certificates.