KUWAIT: The Secretary-General of the Arab Energy Organization (AEO), Jamal Al-Loughani, announced that nine Arab nations have developed ambitious plans to produce low-carbon hydrogen, aiming for an output of eight million tons per year by 2030. This figure is expected to rise to 27.5 million tons annually by 2040, contingent upon the market reaching a “mature” stage, Al-Loughani stated in a statement to KUNA.

The Group of Experts on Gas, based in Geneva and affiliated with the United Nations, has expressed support for a joint initiative between the AEO and Russia. The initiative, which focuses on the storage and transportation of liquid and solid hydrogen, was included in the 2026 commission’s task program. Al-Loughani indicated that the progress of this initiative would be reviewed during a meeting scheduled for March 2026.

The topic was first introduced at the 12th session of the UN gas experts, held in Geneva from March 25 to 28. The session was attended by representatives from European Economic Commission member states, the European Commission, and various international agencies. During the session, the AEO’s representative presented a comprehensive overview of the hydrogen industry in the Arab world, highlighting the increasing interest in investment within this sector to cater to growing demand from key markets, particularly in Asia and Europe.

Al-Loughani further noted that the number of hydrogen projects in Arab states had quadrupled between 2021 and 2024, rising from 34 projects in 2021 to 127 ventures. These projects primarily focus on the production and export of low-carbon hydrogen, as well as the transportation of the product through pipelines stretching from North Africa to Europe.

Additionally, there are efforts to utilize hydrogen in land and marine transportation, including fueling ships. Six Arab nations have finalized strategies for hydrogen development, with the AEO using the recent meeting to highlight several mega projects. The organization, which has been a member of the UN group of experts since 2015, continues to participate actively in its meetings. — KUNA