Abu Dhabi catches the hydrogen bug
The oil-rich emirate has been slow to join the hydrogen economy—but a tie-up between the government’s corporate mainstays augurs a dramatic change of heart
Abu Dhabi has defied the global sustainable energy trend over the past year, but recent actions by the emirate’s leadership and parastatal companies signal an abrupt change of strategy. State-owned giant Adnoc responded counterintuitively to the pandemic-triggered collapse in fossil fuel demand by committing to a 25pc hike in long-term oil production capacity and to a $122bn five-year investment plan heavily focused on hydrocarbons. A vague corollary pledge to “explore opportunities in hydrogen” had the look of a tokenistic afterthought. Yet for over a decade, both the capital emirate and neighbouring Dubai have paradoxically also styled themselves as clean energy pioneers. Indeed, the two e
Also in this section
25 February 2026
Low-carbon hydrogen and ammonia development is advancing much more slowly and unevenly than once expected, with high costs and policy uncertainty thinning investment. Meanwhile, surging energy demand is reinforcing the role of natural gas and LNG as the backbone of the global energy system, panellists at LNG2026 said
18 February 2026
Norwegian energy company has dropped a major hydrogen project and paused its CCS expansion plans as demand fails to materialise
4 February 2026
Europe’s largest electrolyser manufacturers are losing patience with policymakers as sluggish growth in the green hydrogen sector undermines their decision to expand production capacity
2 February 2026
As a fertiliser feedstock, it is indispensable, but ammonia’s potential as a carbon-free energy carrier is also making it central to global decarbonisation strategies
