Advancing Hydrogen in Saudi Arabia: Evidence-Based Insights from Stakeholder Engagement and Expert Survey

  • Program Climate & Sustainability Climate & Sustainability
  • Type Commentary
  • Date 22 May 2025
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Abstract

Hydrogen technologies offer a promising pathway for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and advancing climate objectives globally. Integrating hydrogen into the Circular Carbon Economy framework is a strategic priority in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) to address climate and economic goals. This paper presents the findings of a survey conducted by KAPSARC, focusing on the role of hydrogen in advancing Saudi Arabia’s climate objectives within the CCE framework. The study examines hydrogen technologies’ perceived importance, barriers, and potential in reducing GHG emissions. Drawing on insights from stakeholder surveys and focus group discussions, the research highlights a strong consensus on the importance of hydrogen in achieving climate targets. The findings highlight the need for a hydrogen roadmap in Saudi Arabia, incorporating a cohesive strategy to address key barriers. Recommendations also include infrastructure development, introducing financial incentives and de-risking mechanisms, and developing a hydrogen regulatory framework in KSA and the broader MENA region to promote standardization, stronger safety regulations, and balanced policies on both the supply and demand sides. Furthermore, the analysis highlighted the need to invest in research and innovation, stimulate domestic markets, and foster international collaboration. Collectively, these measures aim to position KSA as a global leader in hydrogen technology and exports, driving progress toward its climate and economic goals.

Authors

AlJawhara Al Quayid

AlJawhara Al Quayid

Lead- Climate & Sustainability Lead in the Climate and Sustainability program, Aljawhara focuses on research and advisory projects that are centered around public policy,…

Lead in the Climate and Sustainability program, Aljawhara focuses on research and advisory projects that are centered around public policy, development, and sustainability. Aljawhara holds a master’s degree in policy management from Georgetown University and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Alfaisal University. She also holds a public leadership credential from the Harvard Kennedy School. During the Saudi G20 Presidency, Aljawhara coordinated one of the 11 Think 20 (T20) task forces that produced policy solutions to a wide range of challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to joining KAPSARC, she interned at KPMG’s Deal Advisory unit, where she worked on developing public-private partnership models for public sector clients.

 

Expertise

  • Public Policy
  • Development and Sustainability

Publications See all AlJawhara Al Quayid’s publications

Naser Odeh

Naser Odeh

Principal Fellow- Climate & Sustainability Naser is leading research on carbon dioxide removals (CDRs), bioenergy, and carbon capture, utilization, and storage. He holds a BSc…

Naser is leading research on carbon dioxide removals (CDRs), bioenergy, and carbon capture, utilization, and storage. He holds a BSc in Chemical Engineering and a Ph.D. in Energy and Environmental Engineering, and he has 20 years of experience in the U.K. in both academia and consultancy. His main interests are industrial decarbonization, technology innovation, and policy modelling. In the U.K., Naser led the conceptualization of the U.K. government-funded BIOCCUS system, a community-scale biomass pyrolysis-based cogeneration technology with biochar production and CCUS. His current research interests are understanding the challenges and requirements for integrating CDR within industrial processes and assessing the opportunities for carbon utilization in industry in Saudi Arabia as part of the Circular Carbon Economy.

Expertise

  • Carbon Dioxide Removals
  • Industrial Decarbonization
  • Bioenergy
  • CCUS

Publications See all Naser Odeh’s publications

Fateh Belaïd

Fateh Belaïd

Principal Fellow- Climate and Sustainability Fateh was a full professor of economics at Lille Catholic University and director of the Smart & Sustainable Cities research…

Fateh was a full professor of economics at Lille Catholic University and director of the Smart & Sustainable Cities research unit. Fateh has also held various positions at the French Scientific and Technical Center for Building and led multiple collaborative projects for the French Ministry of Ecological Transition and the European Commission. He is an energy and environmental economist drawing from the fields of applied microeconomics, energy modeling, and econometrics.

He has published widely on household energy consumption, energy-saving behaviors, individual preference and investment in energy efficiency, energy poverty, renewables, and energy policy. He received a habilitation for supervising doctoral research from Orléans University, a Ph.D. in Economics, an M.S. in Applied Economics & Decision Theory from Littoral University, and an engineering degree in statistics.

His work has been published in journals including Ecological Economics, The Energy Journal, Energy Economics, Economic Surveys, Energy Policy, and Environmental Management

Expertise

  • Energy and Environmental Economics; Energy Efficiency; Energy Demand; Fuel Poverty; Energy Policy; Energy Saving Behaviors; Applied Econometrics; Smart and Sustainable Cities.

Publications See all Fateh Belaïd’s publications

Noura Mansouri

Noura Mansouri

Senior Fellow- Climate & Sustainability Noura Mansouri is a senior fellow in the Climate & Sustainability team under Knowledge and Analysis. She is leading two…

Noura Mansouri is a senior fellow in the Climate & Sustainability team under Knowledge and Analysis. She is leading two projects: (i) The Circular Carbon Economy Technology Roadmaps (CCE-TRMs), and (ii) the Nationally Determined Contributions Implementation Roadmaps (NDC-IRMs). Noura served as the (lead) co-chair of the T20 Task Force on Climate Change and Environment/Sustainable Energy since the Saudi G20 presidency and continued the role under subsequent presidencies including the Italian, Indonesian and Indian G20 presidencies. Dr. Mansouri has over 20 years of research and professional experience including academia, think tank, and international energy company experiences. She earned her MBA and Ph.D. degrees in climate change, sustainability and energy transitions from the University of London and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at MIT. She is the author of Greening the Black Gold: Saudi Arabia’s Quest for Clean Energy. Noura has published extensively and spoken widely on climate change, sustainability, and energy transition.

 

Expertise

  • Carbon Management
  • Nuclear Energy
  • Climate Policy
  • Energy Policy

Publications See all Noura Mansouri’s publications

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