Bold Hydrogen Targets Set for 2030 and Beyond
Nine Arab countries have teamed up under the Arab Energy Organisation (AEO) to start a large-scale clean energy project centred on low-carbon hydrogen, marking a major step towards a sustainable future. By 2030, the coalition wants to create eight million tonnes of low-carbon hydrogen annually; depending on the state of the world market, this goal might more than quadruple to 27.5 million tonnes by 2040.
Regional Momentum for Clean Energy Intensifies
AEO Secretary General Jamal Al-Loughani hailed the initiative as a “landmark leap” for the region, underscoring a deepening commitment across Arab states to adopt cleaner energy solutions. “This leap reflects the growing momentum across Arab states in embracing clean energy solutions,” Al-Loughani said, signaling the region’s strategic pivot from fossil fuel dependency to future-focused technologies.
Global Recognition and Collaboration in Geneva
The clean energy drive received international recognition at the recent 12th session of the UN Group of Experts on Gas, held in Geneva from March 25 to 28. During the session, the AEO and Russia unveiled a joint initiative to develop advanced methods for storing and transporting hydrogen in both liquid and solid forms. The proposal has been formally adopted into the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe’s (UNECE) task agenda for 2026 and will undergo review in March of that year.
Key Stakeholders Join Forces
High-ranking officials from the European Commission, UNECE, and other international energy organisations attended the Geneva session. The team from AEO provided a thorough regional outlook, highlighting the rise in investments related to hydrogen and the expanding potential for exports, especially to countries with significant demand in Europe and Asia.
Hydrogen Projects Multiply Across the Region
According to Al-Loughani, hydrogen-related projects across Arab states have witnessed explosive growth — from just 34 projects in 2021 to 127 by early 2024. These range from cutting-edge low-carbon hydrogen production facilities to ambitious export infrastructure and pipeline networks linking North Africa with Europe. The projects also explore hydrogen’s use in transportation, including ship fueling and land-based mobility.
National Strategies and Global Vision Align
Already, six Arab countries have finalized their national hydrogen strategies, laying the groundwork for a coordinated regional push toward cleaner energy. As a long-standing member of the UN Group of Experts on Gas since 2015, the AEO continues to champion large-scale energy initiatives, strengthen global partnerships, and position the Arab world as a key player in the emerging hydrogen economy.
