France looking to develop hydrogen projects in the UAE

French energy companies are looking for more investment in hydrogen projects within the UAE, who is trying to diversify its energy platform, as the oil industry faces challenges. 

"We are working at the moment with several of the key stakeholders in this country whether they're corporates, or governments on developing co-operation in the field of hydrogen," Xavier Chatel told the UAE based The National, in an interview.

"There's a great deal of interest in photovoltaic but there's also a great deal of interest in hydrogen, which is an area in which we are also investing a lot," Ambassador Chatel said.

French energy companies such as TotalEnergies, EDF and Engie have been invested in the industry in the UAE and other parts of the Middle East.

EDF Renewables; for example, is in consortium with UAE's Masdar, Taqa and China's JinkoPower; and it is developing a 2 Gigawatt solar PV project in Abu Dhabi's Al Dhafra region. It is also developing the 800 Megawatt third phase of the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum solar park in Dubai.

"We were able to commit to cutting our greenhouse gas emissions by 75 percent by 2050, and I know that the UAE also has important plans," said the French ambassador.

The UAE is OPEC's third largest producer; and it holds 6 percent of the global crude oil reserves.