February 23, 2026
Methodology About Newsletter
WE THE UAE 2031
The Vanderbilt Terminal for the UAE's National Transformation
INDEPENDENT GLOBAL INTELLIGENCE FOR THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
UAE GDP: AED 2.03T ▲ 5.7% | Non-Oil GDP Share: 84.3% ▼ -5.2pp | FDI Inflows: $45.6B ▲ 48.7% | GDP Growth: 4.0% ▲ -0.3pp vs 2023 | Inflation: 1.7% ▼ +0.0pp vs 2023 | Female Participation: 55.1% ▲ +0.6pp vs 2023 | Population: 11.0M ▲ 4.8% | Emiratisation Rate: 12.5% ▲ 2.1pp | Global Competitiveness: #7 ▲ 3 places | Clean Energy Capacity: 7.2 GW ▲ 18.4% | ADX Index: 9,842 ▲ 4.7% | DFM Index: 4,621 ▲ 6.2% | UAE GDP: AED 2.03T ▲ 5.7% | Non-Oil GDP Share: 84.3% ▼ -5.2pp | FDI Inflows: $45.6B ▲ 48.7% | GDP Growth: 4.0% ▲ -0.3pp vs 2023 | Inflation: 1.7% ▼ +0.0pp vs 2023 | Female Participation: 55.1% ▲ +0.6pp vs 2023 | Population: 11.0M ▲ 4.8% | Emiratisation Rate: 12.5% ▲ 2.1pp | Global Competitiveness: #7 ▲ 3 places | Clean Energy Capacity: 7.2 GW ▲ 18.4% | ADX Index: 9,842 ▲ 4.7% | DFM Index: 4,621 ▲ 6.2% |

Definition

Green hydrogen is produced by splitting water (H2O) into hydrogen and oxygen using electrolysis powered exclusively by renewable energy sources such as solar or wind. This distinguishes it from grey hydrogen (produced from natural gas without carbon capture), blue hydrogen (produced from natural gas with carbon capture), and pink hydrogen (produced using nuclear power). Green hydrogen is considered a critical decarbonisation fuel for hard-to-abate sectors including heavy industry, shipping, aviation, and long-haul transport where direct electrification is impractical.

UAE Context

The UAE launched its National Hydrogen Strategy in 2023, targeting production capacity of 1.4 million tonnes per annum by 2031 and positioning the country among the world’s top hydrogen exporters. Key players include ADNOC (leading blue and green hydrogen projects), Masdar (developing green hydrogen through renewable-powered electrolysis), and Mubadala (investing in hydrogen technology companies). The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai and large-scale solar installations in Abu Dhabi provide the renewable electricity foundation for green hydrogen production. ADNOC’s hydrogen production hub in Ruwais is designed to serve both domestic industrial demand and export markets in Europe and East Asia.

Key Data

The UAE aims to capture 25 percent of hydrogen market share in its key export markets. The country’s National Hydrogen Strategy projects that hydrogen could contribute up to 8 percent of the UAE’s energy mix by 2050. Masdar announced a target to produce 1 million tonnes of green hydrogen annually by 2030 through projects in the UAE and internationally.

Vision 2031 Significance

Green hydrogen is a pillar of the UAE’s post-hydrocarbon economic identity. It leverages the country’s competitive advantages — abundant solar irradiation, existing energy infrastructure, port access, and sovereign capital — to establish a new export commodity for the low-carbon era. The hydrogen strategy also supports domestic decarbonisation of aluminium smelting, steel production, and cement manufacturing.

  • Net Zero 2050 — The national climate commitment that green hydrogen supports.
  • Masdar — Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company driving green hydrogen projects.
  • ADNOC — The national oil company investing in hydrogen across all colour categories.
  • Carbon Capture — Complementary technology used in blue hydrogen production.