C. Watkins, Gulf Energy Information

Day two of the 15th Dii Desert Energy Leadership Summit in Dubai focused on how financial innovation, policy design, and market structure can accelerate the MENA region’s energy transition. The discussions moved beyond technology to the systems and investment models needed to make low-carbon energy scalable and bankable.

The morning began with remarks from the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, which announced plans for a national data center efficiency classification system and highlighted new public-private partnerships aimed at attracting sustainable investment. This set the tone for a day centered on collaboration and integration across the energy value chain.

Building on that theme, Dr. Ad van Wijk of TU Delft emphasized that developing a hydrogen economy means building an entirely new energy system that connects production, storage, infrastructure, and market mechanisms. He called for coordinated spatial planning that aligns renewables, desalination, and hydrogen hubs, positioning MENA as an exporter of energy, materials, and even food. His remarks underscored the need for a holistic, cross-sectoral approach rather than fragmented project development.

Complementing that perspective, ILF Consulting Engineers presented research on common-user hydrogen infrastructure, demonstrating that shared pipelines, ports, and desalination assets can significantly reduce costs, speed project permitting, and enhance regional interoperability. The presentation reinforced the importance of collaboration to achieve scale and cost efficiency.

Financing emerged as the central thread tying these ideas together. The Executive Panel on Financing Low-Emission Projects, moderated by Frank Wouters of the MENA Hydrogen Alliance, explored how capital can be unlocked at scale. Harry Boyd-Carpenter of the EBRD stressed that successful financing depends less on technology risk and more on governance and regulatory stability. Trang Huynh of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation and Andrei Klevchuk of AMEA Power agreed, citing the need for standardized contracts and consistent policy signals. thyssenkrupp Uhde’s James Mnyupe added that industrial off-takers such as shipping and steel will be key to securing early hydrogen demand and ensuring commercial viability.

That focus on practical market creation continued with Timo Bollerhey, CEO of Hintco (H2Global), who outlined a double-auction model designed to create a transparent and liquid hydrogen market. Hintco buys hydrogen through long-term offtake agreements and resells it under short-term contracts, with the German government providing €6 billion in grants to bridge price gaps. The model aims to provide confidence and liquidity for early-stage producers while establishing clear market signals for buyers.

Afternoon sessions on AI, digital infrastructure, and grid demand highlighted how technology, efficiency, and data management are becoming integral to decarbonization strategies.

Takeaway. The day’s discussions made clear that the MENA energy transition depends on coordinated planning, financial innovation, and credible offtake frameworks as much as on technology itself. Investors and policymakers agreed that the next step is moving from pilot projects to bankable, scalable systems capable of delivering both commercial and climate returns.