The Economics and Resource Potential of Hydrogen Production in Saudi Arabia

Initiative Regional Energy Markets
Type Discussion paper
Date 1 March 2022

Carbon
carbon capture and storage
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)
Carbon Neutrality
Carbon Offsetting
Carbon Pricing
Circular Carbon Economy (CCE)
Diversification
Electricity demand
Electricity Market Reform
Energy diversification
Energy Foreign Direct Investment
Energy Infrastructure Development
Energy Investment
Energy Market Regulation and Price Reform
Energy Supply Chain
Energy Trade
GCC
Hydrocarbon Markets
Hydrogen
Hydrogen Hubs
Innovation
Liquified Natural Gas (LNG)
Regional Energy Cooperation
Regional Fuels
Regional Markets
Renewable Hydrogen
Saudi Arabia
Trade Agreements

Abstract

Energy transition discussions, policymakers are increasingly viewing hydrogen as a preferred emissions-free substitute for oil, natural gas and coal in hard-to-abate sectors. However, hydrogen is not a primary energy source but rather is a carrier of energy. Many factors, including its source and the technology used to manufacture it, influence its production costs. Currently, hydrogen manufacturing processes themselves have significant carbon footprints. Thus, for hydrogen to be accepted as a low-carbon fuel source, its production methods must also be decarbonized.

Authors

Shahid Hasan

Research Fellow Prior to joining KAPSARC, Shahid was an associate director at TERI, an independent research institution working in the areas of… Prior to joining KAPSARC, Shahid was an associate director at TERI, an independent research institution working in the areas of energy, environment and sustainable development. As part of his managerial responsibilities, he was responsible for defining, providing direction, implementing research agenda. he has immensely enjoyed working in a team, guiding and mentoring fellow colleagues. As an energy specialist with research and consulting experience, Shahid has worked on various aspects of electricity market reforms covering a range of issues around energy-economics, energy-policy/regulation, energy-markets, energy-sustainability, pricing, DSM especially related to the electricity industry in India and abroad. He has interacted widely with policymakers, regulators, utilities (public and private), multi-lateral & bi-lateral organizations, and international research institutions. He also contributed to a number of government reports aimed to facilitate transition of the energy sector. Representation as energy sector specialist in a number of national and international expert groups/task forces etc.

Expertise

Energy policies/regulations
Markets and transitions

Publications See all Shahid Hasan’s publications

Insights from India’s Journey to Over 100 Gigawatts of Renewable Energy

Energy transition discussions, policymakers are increasingly viewing hydrogen as a preferred emissions-free substitute for oil,…

7th December 2022

How Realistic Is Hydrogen for Electrification?

Energy transition discussions, policymakers are increasingly viewing hydrogen as a preferred emissions-free substitute for oil,…

1st March 2022

Rami Shabaneh

Research Fellow Rami Shabaneh is a fellow in the Oil and Gas program, with a focus on global gas and hydrogen markets.… Rami Shabaneh is a fellow in the Oil and Gas program, with a focus on global gas and hydrogen markets. Rami has nearly 15 years of research and industry experience analyzing energy markets and energy policy. Before joining KAPSARC, Rami worked at Cenovus Energy as a market fundamentals analyst, providing analytic support on specific issues affecting North American gas, natural gas liquids and condensate markets. His work informed the company’s hedging strategies. Before working at Cenovus Energy, Rami spent three years as a research economist at the Canadian Energy Research Institute. He holds a B.Sc. in actuarial science and an M.Sc. in sustainable energy development from the University of Calgary.

Expertise