UAE Builds First Green Hydrogen Plant

UAE Energy Minister Suhail al-Mazrouei and Israeli Energy Minister Karine el-Harrar signed the MoU (WAM)
UAE Energy Minister Suhail al-Mazrouei and Israeli Energy Minister Karine el-Harrar signed the MoU (WAM)
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UAE Builds First Green Hydrogen Plant

UAE Energy Minister Suhail al-Mazrouei and Israeli Energy Minister Karine el-Harrar signed the MoU (WAM)
UAE Energy Minister Suhail al-Mazrouei and Israeli Energy Minister Karine el-Harrar signed the MoU (WAM)

The United Arab Emirates has started building the "first green hydrogen plant in the Middle East," and testing is underway, announced Energy Minister Suhail al-Mazrouei.

UAE aims to capture 25 percent of the global hydrogen fuel market by 2030. It is implementing more than seven ambitious hydrogen projects, targeting key export markets, including Japan, South Korea, Germany, and India.

Meanwhile, the UAE and Israel signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to deepen relations related to the energy sector and to launch a bilateral partnership that supports their goals regarding the future of clean energy.

"The UAE and Israel have both achieved several ambitious goals in all areas, most notably in energy, since the signing of the Abraham Accords Peace Agreement between the two sides over a year ago," Mazrouei said.

During his meeting with Israeli Energy Minister Karine el-Harrar at the Israeli pavilion at Expo 2020, Mazrouei stressed that the accord has helped create promising opportunities for both countries and the region.

"These partnerships will help achieve the transition to renewable energy, as well as draft projects and initiatives that support the Paris Agreement for climate change, which the UAE was among the first to ratify," he said.

The MoU, signed in the presence of many officials from both sides, stipulates the exchange of knowledge and expertise. It also calls for hosting high-level meetings to discuss issues related to energy storage, most notably clean energy, as well as infrastructure cybersecurity, fossil fuels, electricity grids, smart networks, problems of hydrogen and water, and ways of supporting the UAE and Israel's energy strategies.

It promotes investment and trade in energy, energy-related services and equipment, and highlights the strategic importance of developing common global approaches to promoting market access opportunities and the sustainable development of energy resources.

The MoU also affirms the commitment of both parties to sustainable development in implementing energy, science, and technology policies while considering ever-changing economic, social, and environmental considerations, such as climate change.



Oil Prices Hold Steady on Support from US-China Trade Hopes

 FILE PHOTO: A pump jack operates near a gas turbine power plant in the Permian Basin oil field outside of Odessa, Texas, US February 18, 2025.  REUTERS/Eli Hartman/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A pump jack operates near a gas turbine power plant in the Permian Basin oil field outside of Odessa, Texas, US February 18, 2025. REUTERS/Eli Hartman/File Photo
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Oil Prices Hold Steady on Support from US-China Trade Hopes

 FILE PHOTO: A pump jack operates near a gas turbine power plant in the Permian Basin oil field outside of Odessa, Texas, US February 18, 2025.  REUTERS/Eli Hartman/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A pump jack operates near a gas turbine power plant in the Permian Basin oil field outside of Odessa, Texas, US February 18, 2025. REUTERS/Eli Hartman/File Photo

Oil prices held steady on Thursday, supported by hopes of a breakthrough in looming trade talks between the US and China, the world's two largest oil consumers. Brent crude futures were up 43 cents, or 0.7%, at $61.55 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude rose 49 cents, or 0.8% to $58.56 a barrel at 0803 GMT.

The market has almost stabilized at slightly above $61 a barrel, said SEB analyst Ole Hvalbye, which along with some optimism around the current tariff situation with talks due between the US and China, was providing support.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will meet with China's top economic official on May 10 in Switzerland for negotiations over a trade war that is disrupting the global economy. The countries are the world's two largest economies and the fallout from their trade dispute is likely to lower crude consumption growth. At the same time, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies, known as OPEC+, will increase its oil output, adding to pressure on prices.

Analysts at Citi Research lowered their three-month price forecast for Brent to $55 per barrel from $60 earlier, but maintained its long-term forecast of $60 a barrel this year.

A US-Iran nuclear deal could drive Brent prices down towards $50 per barrel on increased supply in the market, but if no deal were to happen, prices could go up to over $70, they added.

Overnight, the US Federal Reserve left the policy rate unchanged, but highlighted the risks of higher inflation and unemployment.

"The Fed signaled that rates will likely remain on hold until the effects of tariffs become clearer. This boosted the US dollar, which added to headwinds facing the broader commodity markets," said ING analysts in a report on Thursday.