UAE explores hydrogen ties with German firm

The United Arab Emirate’s national oil company ADNOC has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Germany’s thyssenkrupp Uhde to explore a long-term partnership to create new markets for hydrogen and promote global clean energy value chains.

The companies said they will focus on the development of projects for large-scale ammonia cracking, which is used to extract hydrogen from ammonia after transportation. Ammonia is a carrier of hydrogen and it is much easier to compress and transport. When shipped, after arriving at its destination, the ammonia needs to be decomposed, or “cracked,” into hydrogen, before use in the energy value chain.

The United Arab Emirate’s national oil company ADNOC has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Germany’s thyssenkrupp Uhde to explore a long-term partnership to create new markets for hydrogen and promote global clean energy value chains. (Image: thyssenkrupp Uhde)

Under the agreement, the companies will work together to develop large-scale ammonia cracking plants with thyssenkrupp technology. The agreement will also lead to the exploration of opportunities in the clean energy value chain for the supply and shipment of low-carbon or green ammonia from the UAE to large-scale ammonia cracking facilities globally.

“ADNOC’s fast-growing hydrogen business is enabled by the UAE’s abundant and competitive energy reserves,” said Musabbeh Al Kaabi, executive director, Low Carbon Solutions and International Growth Directorate. “We are committed to strengthening our position as a reliable supplier of lower carbon-intensive energy, creating new revenue streams and growing the global market for hydrogen. In doing so, we will work with like-minded partners, such as thyssenkrupp, to deliver tangible solutions that contribute to the decarbonization of the energy sector.”

Cord Landsmann, thyssenkrupp Uhde CEO, said many countries are looking to clean hydrogen imports to decarbonize industry and society.

“Clean ammonia is the best way to transport hydrogen by ship, and together with ADNOC, we will deliver the last piece of the puzzle for global clean hydrogen trade at large scale,” Landsmann said.