Masdar, OMV advance partnership on green-hydrogen development

Photo: OMV

Austria-based OMV announced April 30 that it has signed an agreement with United Arab Emirates-based Abu Dhabi Future Energy Co. (Masdar) to partner in the production of green hydrogen, synthetic sustainable aviation fuel (eSAF) and other sustainable products.

Representatives for Masdar and OMV signed in Vienna a nonbinding letter of intent (LOI) to collaborate on future opportunities in Austria, the UAE, and in Central and Northern Europe.

Both companies aim to explore potential avenues to develop and produce eSAF, other synthetic fuels and synthetic chemicals.

“This agreement expands our partnership with OMV and moves us closer to delivering green hydrogen to drive energy-system transformation and energy security,” said Mohammad Abdelqader El Ramahi, Masdar’s chief green-hydrogen officer.

“By leveraging our combined capabilities, Masdar and OMV are looking to produce green hydrogen and derivatives at industrial scale, supporting decarbonization efforts and building the green-hydrogen value chain,” he said.

Martijn van Koten, a member of OMV’s executive board and executive vice president of fuels, feedstock and chemicals, added, “At OMV, we see the future of energy as cleaner, smarter and more collaborative. Our exploration of new opportunities with Masdar in green hydrogen and sustainable synthetic fuels is aiming to deliver concrete business opportunities, as well as to provide a bold step toward reshaping industries and accelerating decarbonization. Together, we aim to drive innovation and set new standards for sustainable solutions both in Austria and the UAE.” 

Masdar is aiming to be a leading producer of green hydrogen and its derivatives globally by 2030, with the company developing and investing in commercial projects and building scalable platforms in key markets around the world. 

In line with national and international climate goals, OMV has set the goal of becoming net zero by 2050 at the latest.

A central pillar in achieving this goal is the use and production of green hydrogen via electrolysis from renewable electricity for use in its refineries.

The company just started its green-hydrogen production facility at the Schwechat refinery in Austria.