Germany, UAE intensify hydrogen cooperation

Germany and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have strengthened their cooperation in hydrogen trade and climate protection during a visit of a high-level delegation from the Gulf country to Berlin.

During the visit, the parties discussed topics such as hydrogen cooperation, emissions trading, carbon management, power grid flexibility, and decentralised solar energy, the German economy ministry said on Wednesday. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the energy transition.

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A central part of the programme was a meeting of the hydrogen task force set up in 2021. It includes representatives from businesses, research institutions and politics from both countries sharing ideas to advance hydrogen projects.

The parties also discussed the introduction of an emissions trading system in the UAE.

"The UAE look upon Germany as a reliable partner with outstanding technical expertise and innovative strength that can support us in our decarbonization efforts," Sharif Al Olama, undersecretary in the UAE energy ministry, was cited in the statement.

"This intensive exchange has brought us one step closer to achieving our shared goal of accelerating the energy transition," Stefan Wenzel, parliamentary state secretary in the German economy ministry, noted.

The hydrogen partnership between Germany and the UAE is supported by several companies from the two countries which in March 2022 signed partnership contracts and research cooperation for the production, storage and transportation of green hydrogen and its derivatives from the Gulf state to Europe. The first hydrogen delivery from the UAE arrived at the port of Hamburg in October 2022.