Abu Dhabi Plans Hydrogen City

By Richard Black
BBC News

The government of Abu Dhabi has announced a $15bn (£7.5bn) initiative to develop clean energy technologies.

The Gulf state describes the five-year initiative as “the most ambitious sustainability project ever launched by a government”.

Components will include the world’s largest hydrogen power plant.

The government has also announced plans for a “sustainable city“, housing about 50,000 people, that will produce no greenhouse gases and contain no cars.

The $15bn fund, which the state hopes will lead to international joint ventures involving much more money, is being channelled through the Masdar Initiative, a company established to develop and commercialise clean energy technologies.

“As global demand for energy continues to expand, and as climate change becomes a real and growing concern, the time has come to look to the future,” said Masdar CEO Dr Sultan Al Jaber.

“Our ability to adapt and respond to these realities will ensure that Abu Dhabi’s global energy leadership as well as our own growth and development continues.”