Masdar, the UAE’s leading clean energy company, has signed an agreement with TotalEnergies to explore the development of a commercial green hydrogen to methanol to SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) project.
The initiative will capture CO2 from industrial sources to use as a feedstock, alongside green hydrogen produced through renewable energy-powered electrolysis, to produce green methanol and SAF.
The primary goal of this ambitious project is to address the carbon footprint of hard-to-abate, emission-intensive industries such as aviation and maritime.
This agreement follows a successful test flight conducted by Masdar and TotalEnergies during COP28 in December 2023, which showcased the potential of converting methanol to SAF. This milestone underscores the project’s potential in transforming aviation fuel sources, aligning with Masdar’s strategic focus on advancing green hydrogen and SAF technologies.
The UAE’s General Policy for Sustainable Aviation Fuel aims to provide 1% of fuel supplied to national airlines at UAE airports using locally produced SAF by 2031. It also seeks to develop a national regulatory framework for SAF, exploring policies to support the long-term economic operation of SAF facilities in the UAE.
The agreement aligns with Abu Dhabi’s Low Carbon Hydrogen Policy, promoting low-carbon hydrogen as a future energy source. This policy is a significant step towards economic growth, sustainability, and energy security, supporting the UAE’s broader National Hydrogen Strategy, which aims to establish the nation as a leading global producer of low-carbon hydrogen by 2031.
Since its inception in 2006, Masdar has been at the forefront of the UAE’s sustainability and climate action efforts. The company has developed and partnered in projects across over 40 countries, with a mandate to increase its renewable energy portfolio capacity to 100GW by 2030 and to become a leading producer of green hydrogen by the same year.
Masdar’s ongoing initiatives and strategic partnerships underscore its commitment to accelerating the energy transition and helping the world meet its net-zero ambitions. The collaboration with TotalEnergies marks another significant milestone in Masdar’s journey towards a sustainable future.
