Dubai \u2013 Business News Report|| The Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries reported a significant rise in announced Arab hydrogen projects by the end of the third quarter of 2026. This increase is attributed to new investments in Egypt, Jordan, and Libya. A recent report obtained by the Washington-based Energy Research Unit indicates that the number of announced and planned hydrogen production and usage projects in Arab countries reached 136 by the end of September 2026. This figure contrasts with 133 projects recorded at the end of last year.<\/p>\n
The number of announced Arab projects has quadrupled compared to those announced in 2021, according to the report prepared by gas and hydrogen industry expert Wael Hamed Abdulmuqati. The region aims to produce approximately 8 million tons annually of low-carbon hydrogen by the end of 2030. This target is led by Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Tunisia, Oman, and Algeria.<\/p>\n
During the first nine months of the current year, three new projects were announced in Jordan, Egypt, and Libya. Most announced Arab projects are in the initial stages of engineering studies and technical and commercial feasibility assessments. A small number have progressed to signing agreements, final investment decisions, and starting construction works.<\/p>\n
A key development includes a memorandum of understanding signed between the Jordanian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and China\u2019s Jiting International Energy in September 2026. This agreement covers studying the feasibility of producing green hydrogen and its derivatives using renewable energy and desalinated water near the port of Aqaba. Studies will assess technical, environmental, and social aspects, determining costs and required land area.<\/p>\n
Libya also saw an announcement from German company Albaretos regarding plans to implement the LiGEP project. This initiative aims to develop green ammonia production capacity of 57 thousand tons annually to meet local market needs and exports by 2029. The total initial investment for the project amounts to approximately 360 million euros, equivalent to 404 million dollars. It involves creating solar power stations with a targeted capacity reaching 800 megawatts to produce about 10 thousand tons annually of green hydrogen.<\/p>\n
In Egypt, Abou Qir Fertilizers and Alexandria Fertilizers Company signed a memorandum of understanding with Chinese firm UEG to execute a green hydrogen production plant in Alexandria. Orascom Construction will handle construction tasks. The memorandum includes preparing feasibility studies for building renewable energy generation capacity of 500 megawatts, targeting 480 tons daily of green ammonia. These companies will study integrating green hydrogen into existing infrastructure for non-biomass renewable fuel ammonia production. With this new project, the number of hydrogen projects in Egypt reaches 40, leading Arab nations, followed by Oman and the UAE.<\/p>\n
Despite the increase in project numbers, OPEC emphasizes that the hydrogen industry remains in its early developmental stages. It requires years of work and coordination to form a mature and stable global market. Achieving ambitious goals declared by some Arab countries remains possible but conditional on the evolution of several factors, including regulatory frameworks and international cooperation mechanisms.<\/p>\n
This story was produced in the newsroom from the disclosed sources named above.<\/em><\/p>\n