Traffic in New Delhi. In January, India's government approved $2.3 billion in funding to grow various segments of the country's green hydrogen sector. India hopes this investment will abate 50 million metric tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions. AP
Traffic in New Delhi. In January, India's government approved $2.3 billion in funding to grow various segments of the country's green hydrogen sector. India hopes this investment will abate 50 million metric tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions. AP
Traffic in New Delhi. In January, India's government approved $2.3 billion in funding to grow various segments of the country's green hydrogen sector. India hopes this investment will abate 50 million metric tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions. AP
Traffic in New Delhi. In January, India's government approved $2.3 billion in funding to grow various segments of the country's green hydrogen sector. India hopes this investment will abate 50 million

Opinion

Comment

The Gulf is on the brink of another energy revolution

  • English
  • Arabic
Mohammed Alardhi is the executive chairman of Investcorp and the chairman of Sohar International Bank

November 28, 2023

In a highly connected and globalised world, it is crucial for every nation to consider its geolocation, and how this presents opportunities and strengths that will help it thrive in the modern world. The GCC has fared extremely well in this regard, with all its member nations doing their best to develop cities that bridge gaps between the East and West, attracting foreign direct investment, business and leisure tourism, all while competing and collaborating with long-established global players.

The region as it stands today is the result of capable leadership and continuous efforts by the public and private sectors to diversify each member country’s economic interests and reduce its reliance on oil. However, there are always new avenues to explore. As a leading exporter of energy in the global context of climate change and the race to net zero emissions, we cannot overlook the Gulf’s geographical advantages.

GCC nations have some of the highest solar exposures in the world. According to a report published by Strategy&, a part of consulting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers’ network, solar power plants in the Gulf can expect 1,750 to 1,930 hours of full-load operation each year, compared with solar plants in Germany that can register 940 hours per year on average. Solar panels in the GCC have the capacity to produce twice as much power as Germany and any comparable European country – this is an asset and opportunity we must not take lightly.

A Saudi man stands at a solar plant in Uyayna, north of Riyadh. Green hydrogen is extracted from water using renewable energy such as wind, hydropower and solar energy, which is in abundance in the Gulf. AFP
A Saudi man stands at a solar plant in Uyayna, north of Riyadh. Green hydrogen is extracted from water using renewable energy such as wind, hydropower and solar energy, which is in abundance in the Gulf. AFP

Connected to this opportunity is another – green hydrogen, which has been described as the fuel of the future by the UN Industrial Development Organisation given that its production – that involves electrolysing renewable energy sources such as air, water or sunlight – results in zero carbon emissions. There are various forms of hydrogen in production across the globe today but as of 2021, less than one per cent of this output is actually green, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency.

The most promising characteristic of hydrogen is its versatility – it can be used in liquid or gas states, and can be converted for use as fuel or electricity. It can be used in the production and running of electric vehicles and machinery, and can be transported as renewable energy when it is converted into ammonia. Like any energy source, of course, there are challenges – most notably shipping and handling because hydrogen is highly flammable, much more so than natural gas, propane and gasoline; this raises the costs of production. However, given its potential, its applications and the trend towards decarbonisation, investment in green hydrogen is sure to pay off in the coming decades.

Gulf nations have begun a series of efforts to embrace this fuel. For example, a Dubai Hydrogen Alliance has been established in the UAE, and Saudi Arabia has set a target to produce four million tonnes of hydrogen by 2040.

The current leading hydrogen provider in the region is Oman, which could become the world’s sixth-biggest exporter of the fuel by 2030, according to the International Energy Agency. Oman aims to produce a minimum of one million tonnes of green hydrogen per annum by 2030, 3.75 million by 2040 and up to 8.5 million each year by 2050.

Earlier this year, Hydrogen Oman SPC signed $20 billion worth of green hydrogen projects. Furthermore, Energy Development Oman announced that it is partnering with Siemens Energy towards working on R&D initiatives to support green hydrogen technology, innovation and the sharing of expertise.

More from Mohammed Alardhi

The Gulf region could benefit from more technology in the classroom

Arts in the Gulf have enormous potential for growth

A culture of collaboration, building and growing with regional and international allies has always been a part of Oman’s approach. Omani advancements in green hydrogen are good news for the broader Gulf region. However, we are still in the relatively early stages and there is plenty of potential for local and regional partners to get on board and play a notable role in the expansion of green hydrogen production.

Demand for green hydrogen is projected to rise to approximately 660 million tonnes a year by 2050, with costs of production declining as processes are refined and economies of scale are achieved. There is still much to be done in this area – producers must educate target consumers across the globe about this alternative and work closely with them for a seamless transition from fossil fuels to renewable sources in coming years.

Green hydrogen is bringing a series of opportunities to the region that could contribute to sustainable forms of energy as well as sustainable economic activity – both of which are crucial for achieving the better and prosperous future that every nation in the Gulf region strives for. With careful planning, collaboration and the optimum use of resources, I do not doubt that the Gulf will make further progress in renewables and continue to hold its place as a global centre for energy production.

Transgender report
While you're here
How Alia's experiment will help humans get to Mars

Alia’s winning experiment examined how genes might change under the stresses caused by being in space, such as cosmic radiation and microgravity.

Her samples were placed in a machine on board the International Space Station. called a miniPCR thermal cycler, which can copy DNA multiple times.

After the samples were examined on return to Earth, scientists were able to successfully detect changes caused by being in space in the way DNA transmits instructions through proteins and other molecules in living organisms.

Although Alia’s samples were taken from nematode worms, the results have much bigger long term applications, especially for human space flight and long term missions, such as to Mars.

It also means that the first DNA experiments using human genomes can now be carried out on the ISS.

 

Tomorrow 2021
More from this package
Zayed Sustainability Prize
On Women's Day
Tomorrow 2021
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Saudi National Day
Know your Camel lingo

The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home

Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless

Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers

Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s

Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival

War on waste
Explained
RESULTS

Lightweight (female)
Sara El Bakkali bt Anisha Kadka
Bantamweight
Mohammed Adil Al Debi bt Moaz Abdelgawad
Welterweight
Amir Boureslan bt Mahmoud Zanouny
Featherweight
Mohammed Al Katheeri bt Abrorbek Madaminbekov
Super featherweight
Ibrahem Bilal bt Emad Arafa
Middleweight
Ahmed Abdolaziz bt Imad Essassi
Bantamweight (female)
Ilham Bourakkadi bt Milena Martinou
Welterweight
Mohamed Mardi bt Noureddine El Agouti
Middleweight
Nabil Ouach bt Ymad Atrous
Welterweight
Nouredine Samir bt Marlon Ribeiro
Super welterweight
Brad Stanton bt Mohamed El Boukhari

Tomorrow 2021

IF YOU GO
 
The flights: FlyDubai offers direct flights to Catania Airport from Dubai International Terminal 2 daily with return fares starting from Dh1,895.
 
The details: Access to the 2,900-metre elevation point at Mount Etna by cable car and 4x4 transport vehicle cost around €57.50 (Dh248) per adult. Entry into Teatro Greco costs €10 (Dh43). For more go to www.visitsicily.info

 Where to stay: Hilton Giardini Naxos offers beachfront access and accessible to Taormina and Mount Etna. Rooms start from around €130 (Dh561) per night, including taxes.

Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

Price: From Dh126,000

Available: Now

UK-EU trade at a glance

EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years

Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products

Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries

Smoother border management with use of e-gates

Cutting red tape on import and export of food

While you're here
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

Mountain%20Boy
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Zainab%20Shaheen%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Naser%20Al%20Messabi%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
On Women's Day
On Women's Day
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Palestine and Israel
More on animal trafficking
More on Quran memorisation:
Specs

Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric

Range: Up to 610km

Power: 905hp

Torque: 985Nm

Price: From Dh439,000

Available: Now

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

Richard Jewell

Director: Clint Eastwood

Stars: Paul Walter Hauser, Sam Rockwell, Brandon Stanley

Two-and-a-half out of five stars 

While you're here
While you're here
On Women's Day
Tomorrow 2021
The Settlers

Director: Louis Theroux

Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz

Rating: 5/5

You might also like
The specs: Macan Turbo

Engine: Dual synchronous electric motors
Power: 639hp
Torque: 1,130Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Touring range: 591km
Price: From Dh412,500
On sale: Deliveries start in October

Six large-scale objects on show
  • Concrete wall and windows from the now demolished Robin Hood Gardens housing estate in Poplar
  • The 17th Century Agra Colonnade, from the bathhouse of the fort of Agra in India
  • A stagecloth for The Ballet Russes that is 10m high – the largest Picasso in the world
  • Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1930s Kaufmann Office
  • A full-scale Frankfurt Kitchen designed by Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky, which transformed kitchen design in the 20th century
  • Torrijos Palace dome
More on animal trafficking
Company%C2%A0profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EHayvn%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2018%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EChristopher%20Flinos%2C%20Ahmed%20Ismail%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAbu%20Dhabi%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Efinancial%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInitial%20investment%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Eundisclosed%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESize%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2044%20employees%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Eseries%20B%20in%20the%20second%20half%20of%202023%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EHilbert%20Capital%2C%20Red%20Acre%20Ventures%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Super heroes

Iron Man
Reduced risk of dementia
Alcohol consumption could be an issue

Hulk
Cardiac disease, stroke and dementia from high heart rate

Spider-Man
Agility reduces risk of falls
Increased risk of obesity and mental health issues

Black Panther
Vegetarian diet reduces obesity
Unknown risks of potion drinking

Black Widow
Childhood traumas increase risk of mental illnesses

Thor
He's a god

Dengue%20fever%20symptoms
%3Cp%3EHigh%20fever%20(40%C2%B0C%2F104%C2%B0F)%3Cbr%3ESevere%20headache%3Cbr%3EPain%20behind%20the%20eyes%3Cbr%3EMuscle%20and%20joint%20pains%3Cbr%3ENausea%3Cbr%3EVomiting%3Cbr%3ESwollen%20glands%3Cbr%3ERash%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

Padmaavat

Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali

Starring: Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor, Jim Sarbh

3.5/5

more from Janine di Giovanni

Indoor Cricket World Cup - Sept 16-20, Insportz, Dubai

MORE ON AFGHANISTAN
Towering concerns
While you're here
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Plastic tipping points
Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20myZoi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202021%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Syed%20Ali%2C%20Christian%20Buchholz%2C%20Shanawaz%20Rouf%2C%20Arsalan%20Siddiqui%2C%20Nabid%20Hassan%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2037%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Initial%20undisclosed%20funding%20from%20SC%20Ventures%3B%20second%20round%20of%20funding%20totalling%20%2414%20million%20from%20a%20consortium%20of%20SBI%2C%20a%20Japanese%20VC%20firm%2C%20and%20SC%20Venture%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
While you're here
SPAIN SQUAD

Goalkeepers Simon (Athletic Bilbao), De Gea (Manchester United), Sanchez (Brighton)

Defenders Gaya (Valencia), Alba (Barcelona), P Torres (Villarreal), Laporte (Manchester City), Garcia (Manchester City), D Llorente (Leeds), Azpilicueta (Chelsea)

Midfielders Busquets (Barcelona), Rodri (Manchester City), Pedri (Barcelona), Thiago (Liverpool), Koke (Atletico Madrid), Ruiz (Napoli), M Llorente (Atletico Madrid)

Forwards: Olmo (RB Leipzig), Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Morata (Juventus), Moreno (Villarreal), F Torres (Manchester City), Traore (Wolves), Sarabia (PSG)

Killing of Qassem Suleimani
%3Cp%3E%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thenationalnews.com%2Fbusiness%2Feconomy%2Fislamic-economy-consumer-spending-to-increase-45-to-3-2tn-by-2024-1.936583%22%20target%3D%22_self%22%3EGlobal%20Islamic%20economy%20to%20grow%203.1%25%20to%20touch%20%242.4%20trillion%20by%202024%3C%2Fa%3E%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thenationalnews.com%2Fbusiness%2Feconomy%2Fuk-economy-plunges-into-worst-ever-recession-after-record-20-4-contraction-1.1062560%22%20target%3D%22_self%22%3EUK%20economy%20plunges%20into%20worst-ever%20recession%20after%20record%2020.4%25%20contraction%3C%2Fa%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thenationalnews.com%2Fbusiness%2Feconomy%2Fislamic-economy-consumer-spending-to-increase-45-to-3-2tn-by-2024-1.936583%22%20target%3D%22_self%22%3EIslamic%20economy%20consumer%20spending%20to%20increase%2045%25%20to%20%243.2tn%20by%202024%3C%2Fa%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
House-hunting

Top 10 locations for inquiries from US house hunters, according to Rightmove

  1. Edinburgh, Scotland 
  2. Westminster, London 
  3. Camden, London 
  4. Glasgow, Scotland 
  5. Islington, London 
  6. Kensington and Chelsea, London 
  7. Highlands, Scotland 
  8. Argyll and Bute, Scotland 
  9. Fife, Scotland 
  10. Tower Hamlets, London 

 

More on this story
Kareem Shaheen on Canada
While you're here
More on Quran memorisation:
More from Neighbourhood Watch
E-cigarettes report
The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Part three: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Background: Chemical Weapons

Director: Laxman Utekar

Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna

Rating: 1/5

More on animal trafficking
Transgender report
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Haltia.ai%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202023%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECo-founders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Arto%20Bendiken%20and%20Talal%20Thabet%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20AI%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2041%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20About%20%241.7%20million%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Self%2C%20family%20and%20friends%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
While you're here
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
 
Started: 2021
 
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
 
Based: Tunisia 
 
Sector: Water technology 
 
Number of staff: 22 
 
Investment raised: $4 million 
The national orchestra
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Recommended
War on waste
Main report
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

Tomorrow 2021
While you're here
While you're here
Cryopreservation: A timeline
  1. Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
  2. Ovarian tissue surgically removed
  3. Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
  4. Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
  5. Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months
What drives subscription retailing?

Once the domain of newspaper home deliveries, subscription model retailing has combined with e-commerce to permeate myriad products and services.

The concept has grown tremendously around the world and is forecast to thrive further, according to UnivDatos Market Insights’ report on recent and predicted trends in the sector.

The global subscription e-commerce market was valued at $13.2 billion (Dh48.5bn) in 2018. It is forecast to touch $478.2bn in 2025, and include the entertainment, fitness, food, cosmetics, baby care and fashion sectors.

The report says subscription-based services currently constitute “a small trend within e-commerce”. The US hosts almost 70 per cent of recurring plan firms, including leaders Dollar Shave Club, Hello Fresh and Netflix. Walmart and Sephora are among longer established retailers entering the space.

UnivDatos cites younger and affluent urbanites as prime subscription targets, with women currently the largest share of end-users.

That’s expected to remain unchanged until 2025, when women will represent a $246.6bn market share, owing to increasing numbers of start-ups targeting women.

Personal care and beauty occupy the largest chunk of the worldwide subscription e-commerce market, with changing lifestyles, work schedules, customisation and convenience among the chief future drivers.

Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20HyveGeo%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202023%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Abdulaziz%20bin%20Redha%2C%20Dr%20Samsurin%20Welch%2C%20Eva%20Morales%20and%20Dr%20Harjit%20Singh%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ECambridge%20and%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%208%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESustainability%20%26amp%3B%20Environment%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%24200%2C000%20plus%20undisclosed%20grant%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EVenture%20capital%20and%20government%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
More on this story
The five pillars of Islam
More coverage from the Future Forum
Updated: November 28, 2023, 7:13 AM`
GCCHydrogenRenewable energy

Weekend EssayDisability is the quiet emergency at the heart of the global health agenda

CommentFor celebrities, silence on Gaza 'genocide' is no longer an option

CommentAbu Dhabi's Fahid Island plans give us a peek at the city's extraordinary

CommentMusk's departure proves no one lasts long in the spotlight beside Trump

Stricken Al Wasl coach Bruno Metsu being cheered on by a whole nation

Shikabala injury fears may force Al Wasl back into transfer market, admits Lacombe

Special reportThe meaning behind the UAE's new dirham banknotes

The tiger widows of the Sundarbans

Pilgrims cast pebbles at a pillar symbolising Satan in Mina, Saudi Arabia. Reuters

Pilgrims 'stone the devil' to mark end of Hajj

Rami Hamadi is without a club contract but has shone during Palestine's Asian World Cup qualifying campaign. EPA

Rami Hamadi has Palestine's World Cup destiny in his hands

Prof Munjed Al Murderis with patient Glenn Bedwell. Photo: Burjeel Medical City

Renowned surgeon launches Abu Dhabi clinic to transform care for amputees

On the day the site opened, Palestinians were channelled through narrow, fenced lanes and reportedly subjected to biometric screening. Unverified image of GHF aid distribution point

Gaza's aid centre chaos laid bare in witness footage