The green hydrogen wave in the Middle East has arrived. In May 2025, the internationally renowned consulting firm Globaltech IP released the Hydrogen and Ammonia Opportunities for Chinese Enterprises in the GCC by 2025, which comprehensively analyzes the “Chinese Opportunities” in the Middle East’s green energy transition for the first time. The report is based on the latest policies and project data from the six GCC countries (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain) and provides strategic guidance for Chinese enterprises to seize the trillion-dollar green hydrogen market. Here are the five core trends in the Middle East’s hydrogen landscape:
National Strategy: GCC’s Collective Bet on the Hydrogen Economy
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Saudi Arabia: Aiming for a clean hydrogen production capacity of 2.9 million tons/year by 2030, with the NEOM project (the world’s largest green hydrogen project) set to commence production in 2026.
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UAE: The national hydrogen strategy plans for a production capacity of 15 million tons/year by 2050, with the Abu Dhabi blue ammonia plant already exporting trial shipments to Japan.
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Oman: The most ambitious per capita, planning to produce 8.5 million tons of hydrogen by 2050 (exceeding current LNG export volumes), with the first round of bidding attracting over $20 billion in investment.
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Data Support: The total green hydrogen production capacity committed by GCC countries is expected to exceed 5 million tons by 2030, accounting for 30% of global planned capacity.
Chinese Enterprises: From Equipment Suppliers to Full-Chain Players
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Equipment Dominance: Chinese photovoltaic components hold a 70% market share in Saudi Arabia (Jinko, Longi), and wind turbines are involved in the UAE’s first wind farm (Goldwind).
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Engineering Contracting: China Energy Engineering and Shanghai Electric are constructing the 950MW Dubai solar thermal photovoltaic hybrid power station (the world’s tallest solar tower).
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Capital Penetration: The China Silk Road Fund holds a 49% stake in ACWA Power, deeply binding with Saudi energy giants.
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Typical Cases: The 2.1GW Al Dhafra photovoltaic power station in Abu Dhabi (the world’s largest) is constructed by China’s Jinko in collaboration with France’s EDF, with 100% of components made in China.
Country Differences: Three Leaders, Three Followers
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Country |
Positioning |
Core Advantages |
Chinese Opportunities |
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Saudi Arabia |
King of Scale |
Photovoltaic Resources + Sovereign Fund |
Over 100GW photovoltaic bidding, NEOM hydrogen |
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UAE |
Innovation Testing Ground |
Free Zones + Mature Infrastructure |
Hydrogen Oasis, Smart Grid Demonstration |
|
Oman |
Hydrogen Dark Horse |
Low-Cost Wind and Solar + Land Policies |
Duqm Hub Project Subcontracting and Equipment Supply |
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Qatar |
Blue Hydrogen Potential Stock |
LNG Facilities + CCUS Technology |
Blue Ammonia Export Infrastructure Renovation |
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Kuwait |
Industrial Application Exploration |
Large Refinery Clusters |
Refining Decarbonization Technology Cooperation |
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Bahrain |
Regional Cooperation Springboard |
Adjacent to Saudi Arabia + Flexible Policies |
Small and Medium-Sized Pilot Projects |
Market Pathways: Four Golden Tracks
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Equipment Export: Photovoltaic components, electrolyzers (Longi Hydrogen), and energy storage systems are prioritized beneficiaries.
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Joint Development: Saudi/UAE projects require local partners to hold 40% (e.g., Jinko’s 10GW component factory in Saudi Arabia).
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Technology Licensing: Transfer of hydrogen production and carbon capture technologies to the Middle East (e.g., Sinopec’s cooperation with ADNOC).
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Infrastructure Contracting: EPC general contracting for integrated wind-solar-hydrogen-ammonia projects (e.g., PowerChina’s Oman wind power project).
Support Ecosystem: Dual Insurance of Policies and Resources
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Free Trade Network: UAE free zones allow 100% foreign ownership + tax exemptions (e.g., Masdar City).
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Financial Leverage: Sovereign funds (Saudi PIF, UAE ADQ) co-invest, and Chinese banks provide green bond financing.
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Talent Hub: The German University of Technology in Oman has established a hydrogen center, where Chinese enterprises can jointly train technical workers.
Conclusion:
The Key to Breaking the Deadlock for Chinese Players
“Whoever controls the Middle East controls the hydrogen world”—GCC countries, leveraging wind and solar resources, sovereign capital, and export infrastructure, have become the core battleground for global green hydrogen.
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State-Owned Enterprises: Seizing gigawatt-level projects (e.g., Saudi 130GW photovoltaic bidding).
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Private Enterprises: Focusing on niche technologies (electrolyzers, smart grid solutions).
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Startups: Leveraging incubators (Dubai Innovation Platform, Oman Hydrogen Center) to validate technologies.
The ultimate conclusion of the report: In the next decade, investment in green hydrogen in the Middle East will exceed $300 billion, and Chinese enterprises need to drive with “technology + capital + localization” to establish a long-term ecological niche.
Report Excerpt
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Hydrogen and Ammonia Opportunities for Chinese Enterprises in the GCC: 2025 White Paper