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The total low-carbon hydrogen active and pipeline capacity has reached approximately 175 million tonnes per annum (mtpa), according to a recently published GlobalData report.

Green hydrogen, which is produced from renewable energy, accounts for 90% of that capacity, while blue hydrogen, from natural gas, accounts for the rest. 

According to GlobalData's Low-Carbon Hydrogen Capacity Outlook, released in January, cumulative hydrogen production capacity continues to be dominated by early-stage projects, with just under 1.9mtpa of capacity having reached completion by the end of Q4 2024.

Source: GlobalData

Projects in the feasibility stage contribute 78% to the overall capacity, reflecting the influence of large-scale projects that are scheduled to start towards the end of this decade.

According to the report, the capacity of feasibility projects fell slightly from Q3 2024, indicating the movement of a small number of projects into later stages of development towards the end of 2024.

"Despite market uncertainty, North America continues to account for the largest share of total capacity, although its share is significantly boosted by the GHI Spirit of Scotia project.

"Post-feasibility capacity currently stands at 38mtpa, with North America currently holding a 25% share, followed by Europe and Oceania," the report said.

The report also noted that over 900 kilo-tonnes per annum (ktpa) of low-carbon hydrogen capacity was announced in Q4 2024, representing an increase in growth from the previous quarter, when approximately 690ktpa was announced.

In April last year, a GlobalData report said that upcoming green hydrogen projects globally will require up to 1,374GW of electrolyser capacity, while upcoming blue hydrogen projects will require over 106 million tonnes of carbon capture and storage capacity.

These findings were included in GlobalData's second-quarter 2024 Hydrogen Transition Outlook and Trends report, which was published in April 2024.

In the Middle East and North Africa region, MEED and regional projects tracker MEED Projects have been following more than 70 green and blue hydrogen projects. The majority of the planned capacity is in Morocco, Egypt, Oman and the UAE.

The region's largest green hydrogen and ammonia production plant is under construction in Saudi Arabia. The $8.4bn Neom green hydrogen project is expected to start commercial operations next year.

READ THE FEBRUARY MEED BUSINESS REVIEW

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Published on 1 February 2025 and distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the February MEED Business Review includes: