Abu dhabi: The World Future Energy Summit, held at the ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi from January 13th to 15th, as part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week hosted by Masdar, is poised to emphasize the critical role of green hydrogen in industrial decarbonisation. Against the backdrop of the UK's goal to expand low-carbon hydrogen production to 10GW by 2030, the summit serves as a platform for industry leaders, policymakers, and investors from both the UAE and the UK to explore collaborative solutions.
According to Emirates News Agency, the summit will demonstrate how the UAE's expertise in renewable energy and large-scale Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS) projects can aid in scaling the UK's green hydrogen market, paving the way for strategic partnerships and cross-border investment. Market analysts assert that the initial excitement around green hydrogen has transitioned into a phase of market realism over the past two years, prompting the UK to adopt a more ambitious development agenda focused on low-carbon hydrogen.
Sarah Jones, the UK's Minister of State for Industry, affirmed this outlook, stating that hydrogen is central to the UK's plans to grow the economy and achieve net zero by 2050. She noted that both the government and industry are already implementing real projects to kickstart the UK's hydrogen economy. The UAE is positioned to actively contribute to the expansion of the UK's green hydrogen industry.
Dr. Carole Nakhle, CEO of Crystol Energy and Secretary General of the Arab Energy Club, will address the summit, emphasizing the longstanding strategic relationship between the UK and the UAE. She views hydrogen as a natural extension of this partnership as both countries pursue industrial decarbonisation and long-term growth. For the UK to harness this potential, a clear and stable regulatory framework is necessary to assure international partners like the UAE of the viability of long-term investments.
A roundtable discussion at last year's World Future Energy Summit gathered key figures from both nations' clean energy sectors, concluding that there is significant potential for deeper UAE-UK collaboration on green hydrogen development. As their interests and expertise align, the years 2026-2030 could mark a new phase of collaboration between the two countries in this field.
To transition green hydrogen from pilot projects to widespread industry integration, substantial funding is required. The UK Government projects that an additional £9 billion of private sector funding is necessary to meet its 2030 goals, primarily through its flagship hydrogen programme's 27 projects. In June 2025, the UK Government invested £500 million in public funds to develop hydrogen infrastructure, underscoring its commitment to this emerging industry.
This presents a significant opportunity for the UAE to establish itself as a strategic partner in the UK's green hydrogen development journey. Domestically, the UAE has already invested billions in expanding its production facilities, and its interest in funding international projects is increasing.
Cornelius Matthes, CEO of Dii Desert Energy, highlighted the UAE's increasing focus on developing domestic green hydrogen capabilities, aiming to exceed local demand and capitalize on global decarbonisation efforts. The UAE's target is 1.4 million tonnes per year by 2031, with confidence that it will surpass this level.
The World Future Energy Summit 2026 will feature the Green Hydrogen Innovation Hub, showcasing startups whose innovations could accelerate global integration and upscaling of green hydrogen. With strategic planning and cooperation, the UAE and UK can leverage their resources, expertise, and investment links, ensuring both nations benefit from early adoption of green hydrogen.
The summit will explore the growing connections between the UAE and UK, within the context of a global shift towards cleaner energy sources that drive industrial decarbonisation.
