Why the Middle East Is Well-Positioned to Play a Major Role in Green Hydrogen

Key Takeaways: 

• The Middle East has structural advantages that place it at the forefront of green hydrogen production, including cost-competitive renewable power, export infrastructure and national hydrogen strategies.
• Major projects in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Oman are progressing, although challenges around offtake certainty and specialist talent remain.
• Hiring for green hydrogen projects requires a workforce that blends oil & gas expertise with electrochemical, renewable and process engineering capability, which is harder to source at a regional level.
• Specialist green hydrogen workforce solutions provided by experienced renewable energy recruiters in the Middle East support projects from early development to stable operations.

Green Hydrogen’s Role in the Middle East Energy Transition

Green hydrogen occupies a distinct position within the Middle East’s energy sector. Governments, utilities and developers across the region are placing hydrogen at the centre of long-term energy planning, supported by policy frameworks tied to national decarbonisation objectives and export diversification.

Market research suggests the Middle East green hydrogen market will exceed $1.2bn in 2033, from $168mn in 2024, underpinned by sustained investment in renewable-powered electrolysis and hydrogen-to-ammonia facilities. This growth is reflected in the current project pipeline, with over 65 low‑carbon hydrogen and ammonia developments under preparation across the region, collectively representing several million tonnes of planned annual production capacity.

The Middle East has many conditions that favour hydrogen development:

• Some of the world’s lowest-cost solar and wind generation, particularly in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, and Oman
• Existing chemical, gas processing and port infrastructure adaptable for hydrogen and ammonia handling
• Geographic proximity to European and Asian markets looking for low-carbon fuel imports

Production cost assessments already place parts of the Gulf at the lowest global end of the hydrogen cost curve, with predictions from the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Centre (KAPSARC) suggesting costs near $1 per kilogram could be achievable, making it the cheapest in the world, compared to $7 at the higher end of the range in places like Europe.

Demand Outlook: Is green hydrogen needed in the Middle East?

Domestic and international demand trajectories reinforce the region’s positioning. Globally, hydrogen demand is forecast to more than double from roughly 100 million tonnes in 2022 to over 220 million tonnes by 2050 (Wood Mackenzie), driven by applications across power generation, chemicals/industrial feedstocks, steel production, and transport applications such as aviation and shipping. According to Strategy& Middle East, this could create around 400,000 jobs globally in renewable energy and hydrogen production. In the Middle East, power generation currently accounts for the largest share of green hydrogen use, accounting for nearly half of market demand in 2024.

Within the Middle East, hydrogen strategies such as Saudi Arabia’s National Hydrogen Strategy under Vision 2030, the UAE’s Hydrogen Roadmap, and Oman’s Hydrogen Strategy 2040 all have clear production targets and export intent, supported by early shipments of low-carbon ammonia to Asia. However, export readiness varies by market, as hydrogen and ammonia certification, particularly in Europe, requires close alignment between renewable power and hydrogen production, which impacts project design, timelines, and staffing during commissioning and early operations. While export timelines and routes may evolve as global trade dynamics fluctuate, ammonia remains the most commercially viable vector for hydrogen exports at scale.

Green Hydrogen Projects in the Middle East

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has the largest share of green hydrogen production capacity in the Middle East. The NEOM Green Hydrogen Project represents the clearest demonstration of the Kingdom’s ambition. The $8.4bn development reached financial close in 2023 and is now over 80% complete, with production expected to reach up to 600 tonnes of carbon-free hydrogen per day by the end of 2026, and green ammonia to be exported. The facility integrates 4 GW of wind and solar power with over 2 GW of electrolyser capacity.

United Arab Emirates (UAE)

The UAE’s National Hydrogen Strategy targets 1 million tonnes of green hydrogen annually by 2031 and sets longer-term growth milestones through to 2050. This target is to be met by developing hydrogen oases, R&D centres, pilot production zones, and export-focused infrastructure, alongside initiatives such as participation in the Global Ports Hydrogen Coalition to support coordination across hydrogen transport and port networks.

Dubai’s solar-powered hydrogen pilot at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park has already shown operational viability, supplying hydrogen for industrial and mobility testing. It produces approximately 400kg of green hydrogen per day through its modular design.

Oman

Oman has established itself as a contender in hydrogen exports through developments in Duqm and the Al Wusta region. Projects led by international consortia, working in coordination with the national hydrogen authority Hydrom, are designed explicitly for hydrogen and ammonia export. The Duqm Green Hydrogen Hub links renewable generation, large‑scale electrolysis and port access in a single development zone.

While two early-stage proposals, the 1.5GW Duqm Green Hydrogen Project and the HyDuqm Project, were recently cancelled, this reflects a natural phase of market consolidation as Oman refines its project pipeline. The overall trajectory remains largely positive, with 7 of the 9 awarded projects progressing. Hydrom has launched a 3rd auction round.

Suggested Read: Top 10 Renewable Energy Projects in the Middle East 

Investments and Technology Choices

Hydrogen production in the Middle East is largely based on renewable-powered electrolysis, with alkaline electrolysers currently holding the largest share for bulk production due to cost efficiency and grid compatibility. 

PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane) and SOEC (Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell) electrolyser technologies are also gaining popularity for projects that require flexible integration with variable renewable energy output. They often appear in hybrid project configurations or pilot installations supporting technology diversification. Integrated hydrogen-to-ammonia chains dominate export-oriented projects, as ammonia remains easier to store, transport and monetise at scale. 

But despite policy backing, many projects remain in pre-FID stages. Industry analysis suggests only a small fraction of announced hydrogen projects in the region have secured long-term offtake agreements, showing the need for commercially disciplined project execution. 

Hydrogen Project Hiring Challenges

While investments attract attention, the workforce required to deliver green hydrogen projects receives less scrutiny. Staffing is one of the most persistent challenges facing hydrogen developments.

Pressures across the region include:

• A shortage of engineers with hands-on electrolyser, desalination and hydrogen processing experience
• Limited availability of technically trained operators and maintenance personnel at the local level
• Competition for hydrogen talent globally, particularly from Europe, North America, and East Asia
• The need to transfer oil & gas skillsets into hydrogen-relevant roles, without compromising safety or compliance

Research assessing hydrogen workforce readiness indicates that many specialist roles must be filled from adjacent industries, such as the chemicals and oil & gas sectors, which are already experiencing their own skills shortages, further pressuring recruitment pipelines.

Green Hydrogen Workforce Solutions: Bridging Oil & Gas Expertise

The Middle East’s established oil and gas workforce is one of its greatest assets, but transferring this expertise into hydrogen projects isn’t quick or easy.

Many underlying competencies, such as process engineering, safety management, and project controls, retain relevance. But while studies show a high proportion of oil and gas skills are transferable into broader clean energy roles, hydrogen requires additional skills in electrochemistry, power electronics, and advanced process control systems.

Effective transition strategies you could use include:

• Targeted upskilling/reskilling programmes matched to hydrogen-specific equipment and technologies
• Practical exposure at operational hydrogen facilities, allowing teams to gain hands‑on experience
• Phased deployment models pairing global specialists with regional teams
• Early workforce planning against project milestones to ensure hydrogen-specific roles are identified before EPC and commissioning phases begin

Sourcing Specialised Hydrogen Talent in the Middle East

Sourcing the right talent often influences project outcomes as much as technology selection. The most effective workforce strategies reflect the staged nature of hydrogen projects. Early engineering phases may require expatriate specialists, while later operations prioritise sustained local capability.

At NES Fircroft, we can support you through:

• Global search and mobilisation of hydrogen-experienced engineers
• Local workforce development programmes in line with project timelines
• Compliance-led placement models that address visa, payroll, and regulatory complexity
• Employer of record services to ensure fast and compliant market entry for new hydrogen developments

Suggested Read: The Ultimate Guide to Employer of Record (EOR) in the Middle East

Our green hydrogen recruitment capabilities in the Middle East draw on decades of energy sector experience, enabling you to build teams that combine technical depth with regional understanding. We have over 50 years of supporting complex energy developments across the region, with 13+ local offices and specialist consultants operating across renewables, infrastructure, chemicals and power.

Contact us to discuss our green hydrogen workforce solutions and partner with a leading renewable energy recruitment specialist in the Middle East today.

FAQs

Is there demand for green hydrogen in the Middle East?

Yes. Regional hydrogen strategies and international export agreements show growing domestic use and global demand, especially for ammonia-based shipping and industrial applications.

What hiring challenges do companies face when staffing green hydrogen projects?

Projects encounter shortages of specialist engineers, limited local operator availability and strong global competition for experienced hydrogen professionals.

How can I source specialised hydrogen talent in the Middle East?

Most hydrogen roles are filled through global recruitment combined with targeted reskilling from oil and gas and chemical industries, supported by compliant mobilisation models.

How can NES Fircroft support green hydrogen projects in the Middle East?

NES Fircroft provides end-to-end green hydrogen recruitment services in the Middle East, including local and international hiring, EOR services, and long-term workforce planning tailored to complex energy projects.