• Masdar and TotalEnergies partner to develop green hydrogen-to-SAF project in Abu Dhabi.
• Project aims to decarbonize aviation and maritime sectors by capturing and utilizing CO2.
• Follows successful methanol to SAF test flight during COP28 in 2023.

Masdar, the UAE’s clean energy leader, has signed an agreement with TotalEnergies to explore a commercial project converting green hydrogen to methanol and then to Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). The project targets the decarbonization of emission-intensive sectors such as aviation and maritime industries.

The initiative will utilize CO2 captured from industrial sources and combine it with green hydrogen produced via renewable energy-powered electrolysis. This process aims to produce green methanol and SAF, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional fuels.

The agreement follows a successful test flight conducted during COP28 in December 2023, showcasing the potential of converting methanol to SAF. This test flight has demonstrated the viability of our innovative approach noted Masdar.

This project aligns with Abu Dhabi’s Low Carbon Hydrogen Policy, promoting low-carbon hydrogen as a future energy source. It is a strategic step towards economic growth, sustainability, and energy security. The policy supports the UAE’s broader goals under the National Hydrogen Strategy, aiming to position the UAE as a leading global producer of low-carbon hydrogen by 2031.

Since its inception in 2006, Masdar has driven the UAE’s vision of sustainability and climate action, developing and partnering in projects across over 40 countries. The company is committed to expanding its renewable energy portfolio to 100GW and becoming a leading producer of green hydrogen by 2030.

Masdar’s Green Hydrogen business has been instrumental in forging strategic partnerships over the past three years to support the SAF sector added Masdar.

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The UAE’s General Policy for Sustainable Aviation Fuel targets 1% SAF in national airline fuel supplies by 2031. It also seeks to develop a regulatory framework to support the long-term economic operation of SAF facilities in the UAE.

This partnership between Masdar and TotalEnergies represents a significant milestone in the pursuit of a sustainable future, addressing hard-to-abate emissions and supporting the global transition to greener energy solutions.