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OAPEC Launches Hydrogen Initiative
The Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC), based in Kuwait, has initiated a program to boost the development of green and blue hydrogen within its 11 member nations. This new initiative aims to showcase advancements in the hydrogen sector, address supply chain challenges, integrate hydrogen with renewable energy sources, and encourage the sharing of knowledge among Arab nations.
Member States’ Ambitions
OAPEC comprises countries like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Algeria, Tunisia, and Kuwait, which have set significant goals in the clean hydrogen arena. Other member states include Bahrain, Iraq, Libya, Qatar, and Syria. The initiative is a result of deliberations during the third annual OAPEC symposium on „Global and Arab Hydrogen Developments: Trends, Challenges and Opportunities,” recently concluded in Cairo. This event marked five years of OAPEC’s dedication to low-carbon hydrogen.
Hydrogen Guidance Initiative
Jamal Issa Al-Loughani, the secretary general of OAPEC, announced the initiative, emphasizing five primary objectives:
- Enhancing regional and international collaboration through a shared Arab platform for data and experience exchange, alongside forming an expert team to track hydrogen industry developments and distribute best-practice guides.
- Promoting scientific advancements via research in hydrogen production technologies, such as electrolysis and carbon capture.
- Supporting integration with renewable sources by developing national strategies to merge hydrogen production with wind and solar, and constructing infrastructure to lower operating costs.
- Addressing technical and investment hurdles through studies aimed at building hydrogen transport and storage networks, using existing gas networks and seeking partnerships with European and international bodies for expertise exchange.
- Enhancing national capacities by including hydrogen in university studies and launching vocational training programs.
Co-ordination and Implementation
Al-Loughani stated that a general co-ordinator has been appointed to oversee and monitor the implementation of these components, although the individual’s identity was not disclosed. The initiative is designed to aid the shift towards a sustainable energy future and ensure the region stays abreast of global energy sector changes, focusing particularly on low-carbon hydrogen.
It is important to note that OAPEC is a distinct entity from the more widely known Opec, based in Vienna, which involves additional countries from sub-Saharan Africa and South America.
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