The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development has signed a preliminary agreement with energy solutions company Broaden Energy, which will invest Dh1 billion ($272.3 million) to open a hydrogen equipment manufacturing centre in the emirate.
This will be the first hydrogen equipment manufacturing complex in Abu Dhabi, enhancing the UAE's energy infrastructure.
The centre is expected to support the objectives of Abu Dhabi Industrial Strategy by promoting sustainability and developing value chains. It will boost the region’s hydrogen economy, create new job opportunities and stimulate economic development and innovative industrial solutions, Added said on Friday.
The hydrogen complex is central to Added’s efforts in supporting the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 targets through innovative solutions, said Arafat Al Yafei, executive director of Industrial Development Bureau, Added’s arm to develop and regulate the industrial sector.
“Abu Dhabi’s thriving industrial sector places sustainability at the forefront of its activities and continues to attract investments in targeted industries,” he added.
Added said the project aligns with the strategic goals of the UAE National Hydrogen Strategy and the Net Zero 2050 Strategy.
The National Hydrogen Strategy aims to make the UAE a top 10 producer of green hydrogen by 2031 with an output target of 1.4 million tonnes per year.
The Emirates also plans to establish hydrogen hubs to accelerate industry adoption of hydrogen, cultivating a supply chain and enabling infrastructure to attract global energy players.
“Establishing the first hydrogen equipment manufacturing complex in Abu Dhabi is a testament to our commitment to advancing renewable energy and supporting the UAE's strategic vision,” Adnan Sokolija, chief executive of Broaden Energy, said.
Hydrogen, which can be produced from renewable energy and natural gas, is expected to become a critical fuel as economies and industries transition to a low-carbon world.
It comes in various forms, including blue, green, and grey. Blue and grey hydrogen are produced from natural gas, while green is derived from splitting water molecules through electrolysis.
Heavy investment in hydrogen
Gulf countries have been heavily investing in renewable energy while simultaneously lowering emissions from their oil and gas operations as part of their plans to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 or beyond.
The Emirates, the Arab world’s second-largest economy, aims to reach hydrogen production of 15 million tonnes annually by 2050. The country is planning to develop at least two hydrogen production hubs, or oases, by 2031, each of which will produce clean electricity, and increase the number to five by 2050.
It will establish a hydrogen centre for research and development in 2031, which will be developed into a recognised innovation centre globally for hydrogen by 2050, Suhail Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, said in July last year.
In 2021, the UAE unveiled its Net Zero 2050 Strategic Initiative, a Dh600 billion plan to invest in clean and renewable energy sources over the next three decades.
It was the first Gulf country to commit to net-zero emissions by 2050.
In November, Adnoc launched the region’s first “high-speed” green hydrogen pilot refuelling station to test a fleet of hydrogen-powered vehicles. The Adnoc Distribution-operated station in Masdar City produces green hydrogen from water using an electrolyser powered by clean grid electricity, the company said.
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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Which honey takes your fancy?
Al Ghaf Honey
The Al Ghaf tree is a local desert tree which bears the harsh summers with drought and high temperatures. From the rich flowers, bees that pollinate this tree can produce delicious red colour honey in June and July each year
Sidr Honey
The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest
Samar Honey
The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments
Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
