Masdar, OMV sign agreement to produce green hydrogen

Masdar, one of the world’s fastest growing clean energy companies, has signed a non-binding Heads of Terms (HoT) development agreement with OMV, the integrated company for energy, fuels & feedstock, chemicals and materials, to explore in partnership the production of green hydrogen for the decarbonization of industrial processes in OMV’s refineries.

The non-binding HoT forms the basis of a joint agreement to develop an industrial large scale electrolysis plant, which will be powered by renewable energy. The partners will collaborate to develop the project and plan to make a final investment decision in the second half of 2024.

The Heads of Terms development agreement was signed at the UN climate change conference, COP28, in Dubai and follows an initial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that was signed between the two parties in Abu Dhabi earlier this year.

“This cooperation agreement with OMV is another step in the right direction towards building a robust hydrogen value chain and supports our ongoing aim of 1 million tonnes of green hydrogen per annum globally by 2030”, said Mohammad Abdelqader El Ramahi, Masdar’s Chief Green Hydrogen Officer.

Masdar has been a pioneer in exploring hydrogen production since 2008 and is developing and investing in strategic projects and building scalable platforms in key markets around the world.

In line with national and international climate goals, OMV has set itself the target of becoming climate neutral by 2050. A central pillar in achieving this goal is the use and production of green hydrogen via electrolysis from renewable electricity for use in its refineries.

Net-zero energy commercial HQ: Abu Dhabi’s Department of Energy (DOE) has announced its plans to relocate to the country’s first net-zero energy commercial headquarters (HQ) building in Abu Dhabi’s Masdar City in late 2025. The new partnership, which will enhance Masdar City’s vibrant energy cluster, demonstrates the city’s and the DOE’s collective commitment to sustainability.

The HQ building is the focal point of Masdar City Square, a commercial development of seven sustainable buildings that will be complete in 2024. The HQ building will feature a distinctive canopy of 1,033 PV (solar) panels that will produce 104 percent of the building’s annual energy needs, making it net-zero energy. Any excess energy produced will be fed into the Abu Dhabi electric grid.

Engineer Ahmed Mohammed Al Rumaithi, the undersecretary of the DOE, said, “Our collaboration with Masdar City reflects our shared sustainability commitments to drive the energy and water transition, build a cleaner economy for our people, and substantially reduce our carbon footprint. As COP28 in the UAE progresses, we are proud to play a leading role in supporting the country’s endeavors to achieve net-zero by 2050 through world-class, climate-friendly policies, regulations, and strategies that position our nation among the most dynamic in the world.”

He added that the DOE’s move to a net-zero energy building at Masdar City Square is another significant milestone in the department’s sustainability journey. “This strategic step aligns seamlessly with the DOE’s decarbonization efforts to advance energy and water efficiency in Abu Dhabi. It demonstrates our unwavering commitment to sustainability, environmental protection, and bolstering green innovation.”

“We are pleased to welcome the Department of Energy at Masdar City, where we’ve been pushing the boundaries of sustainability and innovation for more than 15 years,” said Ahmed Baghoum, Masdar City’s CEO. “The Masdar City Square HQ building’s incredible design makes a show-stopping statement about the UAE’s journey to net-zero, and we’re honored to have a partner that is so clearly aligned with that statement. We’re looking forward to having them join our thriving energy cluster.”

The PV canopy, designed and angled to maximize solar energy production, is the most visible of the building’s sustainability features. Thanks to a focus on passive design, or an architectural approach that works with the natural environment and the building’s physical components to minimize the need for cooling, the HQ will require 43 per cent less energy than a standard equivalent building.

“Masdar City is a place of innovation, and we’re always looking for partners like the DOE that share our vision and commitment to a brighter, more sustainable future,” said Mohammed Abdelrazik, the director of asset management at Masdar City. “We’re incredibly proud of Masdar City Square’s HQ building, which will showcase the most leading-edge innovations in sustainable development and building operations.”

Like many Masdar City buildings, Masdar City Square’s HQ will have a low window-to-façade ratio and use window angling and shading to minimize direct sun while maximizing natural light. The building envelope will be airtight and use top-notch insulation to keep heat out and cooled air in.