BEEAH And Chinook Hydrogen Unveil Plans For First Commercial-Scale Waste-to-Hydrogen Plant In The Middle East

BEEAH has announced plans for the Middle East's first commercial-scale waste-to-hydrogen plant in Sharjah. This initiative, in partnership with the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI), Chinook Hydrogen from the UK, and Japan's Air Water Inc., aims to produce green hydrogen for emissions-free energy and hydrogen-fuelled mobility. The plant will use advanced technology to convert waste into hydrogen.

The project will utilise Chinook Hydrogen’s RODECS gasification and pyrolysis solution alongside Air Water Inc.’s hydrogen refinement technology. This combination will produce fuel-cell grade hydrogen from organic materials, including municipal solid waste. The resulting green hydrogen can be used in various energy and industrial applications or in hydrogen vehicles.

The first phase of the plant is set to be operational by Q2 2027, with a daily production target of 7 tons of green hydrogen, equating to an annual output of 2,560 tons. This process will also divert significant amounts of waste annually and prevent approximately 30,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions.

In addition to green hydrogen, the plant will generate by-products like biogenic carbon dioxide and nitrogen. These can support alternative fuel production and serve various industrial uses. The technology was initially demonstrated in Nottingham, UK, in 2023 and showcased at COP28 UAE.

The waste-to-hydrogen technology has been independently verified by international consultants, achieving a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) between 6 and 7. This indicates its readiness for demonstration in operational settings and larger-scale deployment. Future plans include scaling up production capacity to 20 tons per day.

Khaled Al Huraimel, Group CEO and Vice Chairman of BEEAH, expressed pride in collaborating with MoEI and international partners on this project. He highlighted the plant's role in addressing emissions challenges through emissions-free fuel opportunities for hard-to-abate sectors and supporting hydrogen-fuelled mobility.

National Hydrogen Strategy

The UAE aims to become a leading global hub for hydrogen production by 2031 as part of its National Hydrogen Strategy. BEEAH continues to explore ways to contribute to this ambition through successful demonstrations and partnerships with international entities.

Dr. Rifat Chalabi, Group Chairman and CEO of Chinook Hydrogen, emphasised their commitment to cost-competitive negative carbon intensity hydrogen production using their patented RODECS technology. He noted that this aligns with the UAE’s vision of becoming a leader in low-carbon fuel development.

Eng Sharif Al Olama from MoEI commented on the importance of energy diversification and hydrogen leadership within the UAE Centennial Plan 2071. He welcomed BEEAH's progress following COP28 presentations and anticipated future collaborations on this innovative project.

With inputs from WAM