Egypt Private Sector to Produce Green Hydrogen

Green hydrogen is a clean fuel that will have an advanced position in energy production in the future. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Green hydrogen is a clean fuel that will have an advanced position in energy production in the future. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Egypt Private Sector to Produce Green Hydrogen

Green hydrogen is a clean fuel that will have an advanced position in energy production in the future. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Green hydrogen is a clean fuel that will have an advanced position in energy production in the future. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Egypt’s private sector is considering boosting green hydrogen production, the clean energy of the future, through its local production and distribution.

MAN Energy Solutions has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with TAQA Power in Cairo regarding a pilot project for the local production of green hydrogen to fuel domestic tourist busses.

The MoU sets the stage for MAN Energy Solutions to provide technical information to TAQA Power on employing electrolysis for a hydrogen-plant solution, due to run until autumn 2022.

MAN Energy Solutions is headquartered in Germany and has about 14,000 employees in more than 120 locations worldwide. Its business is aligned towards a range of solutions for decarbonization.

The company intends to drive the large-scale industrialization of electrolysis, pushing green hydrogen towards the mass market.

It produces stacks and megawatt electrolyzers based on the polymer-electrolyte membrane process (PEM) to cover industry and energy-refiner hydrogen demand. Its electrolyzers already make effective sector-coupling possible today.

TAQA Power Managing Director Samy AbdelKader announced: “We are delighted to join forces with MAN Energy Solutions for such a great endeavor in alignment with the Egyptian Government’s plan aiming to generate and increase the use of green hydrogen.”

He indicated that TAQA intends to lead the private sector to achieve the sustainable development goals set by President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi for Egypt’s Vision 2030.

Head of MAN Energy Solutions’ energy business in the region, Ghassan Saab, described the MoU as an “exciting venture” with a valuable partner in a country that recognized an essential role green hydrogen will play on the path to a climate-neutral, global economy.

It is also an excellent opportunity for MAN Energy Solutions to display its expertise in all processing steps of the hydrogen economy, he added.

“We look forward to working closely with TAQA Power in finding the optimal solution that will position them strongly in what will be one of the most important markets of the future.”

TAQA Electricity manages and operates the Benban solar power plant in Aswan, one of the region’s most significant renewable energy projects. The company established the 65-megawatt plant, with a total investment of $72 million.

TAQA Arabia is a subsidiary of a Qalaa Holdings company that develops and operates energy-distribution infrastructure, including gas transmission and distribution networks, EPC works, power-generation plants, and distribution networks for the oil & gas residential, commercial, and tourism sectors in Egypt.

It also markets petroleum and lubricants and develops and operates water-treatment stations. Currently, it is focusing on significantly increasing green-hydrogen production to expand its remit within the field of clean energy.



Saudi Ministry of Environment Issues First License for Aeroponics Agriculture in the Middle East

Saudi Ministry of Environment Issues First License for Aeroponics Agriculture in the Middle East
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Saudi Ministry of Environment Issues First License for Aeroponics Agriculture in the Middle East

Saudi Ministry of Environment Issues First License for Aeroponics Agriculture in the Middle East

The Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture issued the first operational license for a commercial agricultural project utilizing aeroponics in the Middle East, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Saturday.

The project aims to contribute significantly to the local market's agricultural needs through sustainable production.

The Ministry's Undersecretary for Agriculture, Eng Ahmad Al-Ayada, made the announcement during a ceremony attended by representatives of a coalition local and international companies: Tamimi Markets Group from Saudi Arabia, Mitsui Group from Japan, and Zero Group from Italy.

Through the Green Dunes Company, the coalition will come up with modern agricultural solutions powered by cutting-edge technologies and AI. These efforts align with the Kingdom's National Agriculture Strategy and the broader goals of Vision 2030, which aim to build a sustainable agricultural future.

According to the ministry, the project's first phase has been completed. It entailed the establishment of an aeroponics farm to produce various vegetable varieties. The method is noted for its efficiency, as it reduces water consumption by 95% compared to traditional farming techniques and enables year-round productivity.

The project integrates AI and automation at all production stages, employing advanced monitoring systems and performance indicators to optimize output.