DUBAI, 12th February, 2018 (WAM) -- Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director-General of Dubai Expo 2020 Bureau, Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, DEWA, and Joe Kaeser, President and CEO of Siemens, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, to launch a pilot project for the region’s first solar-driven hydrogen electrolysis facility.

The announcement came during the 6th edition of the World Government Summit, WGS 2018. DEWA’s outdoor testing facilities at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai have been selected for the project.

The facility aims at testing and showcasing an integrated MW-scale plant to produce hydrogen using renewable energy from solar photovoltaic at the Solar Park, store the gas, and then deploy for either re-electrification, transportation or other industrial uses. Hydrogen technologies will accelerate renewable energy integration and deployment in the region and pave the way for the transition to a sustainable and green economy in the UAE. DEWA and Expo 2020 Dubai intend to use fuel-cell vehicles powered by the green hydrogen generated at the facility. Visitors of Expo 2020 Dubai will be able to visit the key facilities at the Solar Park. Live data of the green hydrogen electrolysis will be displayed at Expo 2020 Dubai.

"This project will not only result in the development of the region’s first solar-driven hydrogen electrolysis facility, but is an example of what can be achieved through collaboration between Expo 2020 Dubai and our partners, truly embodying the Expo theme of ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’," Al Hashimy said, adding, "The exhibition will be a celebration of creativity and innovation, providing a platform for new sustainable technologies like this to be presented to a global audience of millions, and help us move towards a cleaner, greener future."

"The MoU is in line with the vision of the Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to increase the share of Dubai’s total power output from clean energy sources to 75% by 2050 through the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050. The MoU also supports Expo 2020 Dubai's themes to promote sustainability and innovation and DEWA’s efforts to contribute to hosting the best edition of Expo in Dubai. This is part of our partnership with Expo 2020 Dubai, as the official sustainable energy partner," Al Tayer said.

Kaeser, in turn, said, "This is truly a landmark project for Dubai and the world, and a great step forward in building a secure supply of sustainable energy for the region’s economic development. Green hydrogen can be a fuel of the future. It will accelerate the adoption of renewable energy in the Middle East through sector coupling, offering new use cases, such as e-Mobility and other environmentally-friendly industries."