Masdar, TotalEnergies eye “green hydrogen to methanol to SAF” production

UAE clean energy powerhouse Masdar has signed an agreement with TotalEnergies to assess the viability of developing a commercial green hydrogen to methanol to SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) project in Abu Dhabi.

Masdar held that the focus of the project is to help decarbonize hard to abate, emission intensive sectors such as the aviation and maritime industries. The project will also capture and utilize CO2 from an industrial source to be used as a feedstock, in addition to green hydrogen from renewable energy powered electrolysis, for the production of green methanol and SAF.

Today’s agreement follows a successful test flight conducted by the two companies during COP28 in December 2023 that demonstrated the potential for converting methanol to SAF.

“Aviation is a key focus for Masdar’s Green Hydrogen business, and over the past three years the company has forged a number of strategic partnerships designed to support the development and growth of the SAF sector,” said Masdar.

The UAE’s General Policy for Sustainable Aviation Fuel set a voluntary target of providing 1% of fuel supplied to national airlines at UAE airports using locally produced SAF by 2031 and seeks to develop a national regulatory framework for SAF by exploring potential policies to support the long-term economic operation of SAF facilities in the UAE.

Masdar also believes that this agreement aligns with Abu Dhabi’s Low Carbon Hydrogen Policy which is expected to significantly contribute to promoting low-carbon hydrogen as a future energy source, constituting a significant milestone towards ensuring economic growth, sustainability, and energy security and a strategic step towards a sustainable future.

The Low Carbon Hydrogen Policy complements the UAE National Hydrogen Strategy, which seeks to establish the UAE as a leading global producer of low carbon hydrogen by 2031.