Amid escalating global efforts to reduce carbon emissions and attain climate neutrality, green hydrogen has emerged as one of the most promising solutions for sustainable energy production. It is capable of providing clean, versatile energy, thus capturing the attention of policymakers, researchers, and investors everywhere.

With the Sultanate of Oman strategically embracing energy diversification and bolstering a green economy, it is imperative to develop an in-depth understanding of green hydrogen: its production methods, classification, applications, and potential contribution to our economy in the near future.

To address these aspects, Tawasul interviewed leading academics at Sultan Qaboos University, with a focus on key technical, environmental, and economic facets of this emerging energy resource.

Green hydrogen as an energy vector

Green hydrogen is produced via water electrolysis powered entirely by renewable electricity – typically solar or wind. Unlike other forms, such as grey or blue hydrogen, its production generates zero carbon emissions, rendering it a strategic asset in mitigating climate change.

Dr. Rashid Al‑Hajri, Head of the Department of Petroleum and Chemical Engineering at the College of Engineering, clarifies that green hydrogen has gained considerable global prominence in recent years. Numerous countries have integrated it into national energy strategies, viewing it as a vital enabler for a low‑carbon economy, particularly in high-emission sectors where direct electrification is challenging, such as heavy industry (i.e., steel, cement) and long-haul transportation (maritime and aviation). Dr. Al‑Hajri adds that green hydrogen is not merely a clean fuel – it serves as an effective energy storage medium, capable of absorbing excess renewable electricity during off-peak periods and deploying it when required.

Hydrogen has no colour!

Colours are used metaphorically to distinguish hydrogen types based on energy source and environmental impact:

• Grey hydrogen: produced from natural gas via steam methane reforming, emitting approximately 9-10 kg of CO₂ per kg of hydrogen.
   
• Blue hydrogen: also reformulated from natural gas, but incorporating carbon capture and storage (CCS). While it is cleaner than grey hydrogen, its emissions reduction varies (up to 90%, though many projects only achieve 50 to 60%).
   
• Pink hydrogen: produced by electrolytic methods using nuclear-generated electricity – technically feasible where nuclear infrastructure exists, but currently rare.
   
• Green hydrogen: the focus of this discussion. It is produced via electrolysis powered entirely by renewables – emission‑free and the most environmentally advantageous, albeit with higher production costs.
   
• Other lesser-known variants include white hydrogen (naturally occurring in geological springs), turquoise hydrogen (from methane pyrolysis with negligible emissions), and brown/black hydrogen(derived from coal and the most environmentally detrimental).
   

As Dr. Hussein Younis from the Nanotechnology Research Centre (NRC) explains, the choice of hydrogen “colour” encompasses economic and strategic dimensions. Blue hydrogen, though less clean, may serve as a transitional solution for natural gas-dependent countries seeking rapid emissions reduction. By contrast, green hydrogen is the enduring strategic choice for nations committed to carbon neutrality. He adds that, although a thorough understanding of the types of hydrogen and their production sources is an essential step, effective policies must anticipate financial and environmental trade‑offs, as many countries tend to favour the cheaper – albeit less clean – alternative.

Green hydrogen applications 

Although hydrogen has been utilised in industry for decades, integrating green hydrogen elevates traditional applications with genuine environmental benefits. Areas which may benefit from it are:

• Industrial sectors: utilised in iron and steel production as a carbon‑free reducing agent. Natural gas in high‑temperature furnaces can be fully replaced.
   
• Heavy transport: a promising solution for powering trucks, trains, vessels, and aircraft, with fuel‑cell systems offering superior range and refuelling efficiency compared to battery systems.
   
• Energy sector: green hydrogen enables the storage of excess electricity from intermittent solar and wind sources, allowing reconversion to power during peak demand, thereby enhancing grid flexibility.
   
• Chemical industry: employed in synthesising green ammonia (for agriculture and fertiliser), methanol, and synthetic aviation fuels.
   
• Residential use: certain countries are piloting the blending of hydrogen into domestic gas networks for heating.
   

Thanks to its diverse applicability, green hydrogen is expected to play a central role in decarbonising the global economy, especially in sectors resistant to direct electrification.

Green hydrogen: advantages and gains

The strength of green hydrogen lies in its versatility as a carbon-free fuel. It offers exceptional flexibility, enabling it to function as an energy vector across multiple sectors – namely electricity, transport, and industry – thus positioning it as a cornerstone for cross-sectoral energy integration.

Environmentally viewed, green hydrogen is a highly effective tool in achieving the objectives of the Paris Climate Agreement and carbon neutrality, particularly in hard-to-abate sectors, such as heavy industry and long-distance transport. From the economic perspective, it opens wide avenues for investment and innovation in production and storage technologies. Furthermore, it contributes to the diversification of domestic energy sources. Unlike renewable electricity, which is difficult to store efficiently, green hydrogen can be stored for extended periods and transported over long distances, whether via pipelines or shipping. This capability enables the conversion of renewable energy into an exportable commodity, thus creating new economic prospects for countries with abundant renewable resources, including the Sultanate of Oman, by exporting hydrogen or its derivatives, such as green ammonia.

Green hydrogen also enhances energy security by reducing dependency on fossil fuels, particularly for nations endowed with rich renewable resources. Moreover, the development of green hydrogen value chains, from production to end-use, generates new employment opportunities and contributes to skills development in the fields of technology, engineering, and energy systems.

Barriers and challenges

Despite growing global momentum, green hydrogen still faces several challenges, necessitating well-structured strategies to expedite its deployment. Chief among these is the relatively high cost of production, especially when compared with other hydrogen types. This is primarily attributed to the cost of renewable electricity, the low efficiency of current electrolysis technologies, and the high cost of system components such as electrolysers and fuel cells.

In addition, most countries lack the necessary infrastructure for hydrogen transport, storage, and distribution. The establishment of safe pipelines, refuelling stations, and suitable storage facilities represents a large financial and technical challenge. On the technical front, hydrogen is a lightweight and highly diffusive gas, requiring either high-pressure containment or extremely low-temperature liquefaction for storage, thus posing safety and cost-related challenges.

Further compounding these obstacles is the lack of regulatory frameworks. In many countries, legislation governing the hydrogen sector remains incomplete, creating uncertainty for investors. Public awareness and understanding of hydrogen and its applications also remain limited, which can hinder societal acceptance.

Promising economic and environmental opportunities for Oman

The Sultanate of Oman is one the first countries in the region to proactively outline a comprehensive national strategy for the development of a green hydrogen economy. It possesses natural, geographical, and economic advantages that make it an ideal location for producing this vital resource:

• A strategically advantageous location on the Arabian Sea, facilitating efficient export to Asian and European markets.
   
• Abundant renewable energy resources, especially solar and wind, predominantly in open regions such as Duqm.
   
• Existing industrial infrastructure and port facilities that can be upgraded to support hydrogen-related projects.
   

Prof. Mohammed Al‑Abri, the NRC Director, highlights its economic potential, stating that, “Investment in green hydrogen directly supports Oman Vision 2040 by diversifying national income sources, reducing dependency on oil and gas, and unlocking new clean energy markets. It also allows for localising renewable energy industries, such as green ammonia production, electrolyser technology, and fuel cell manufacturing, thereby maximising the value added within the national economy.”

Al‑Abri further stresses that these opportunities extend to employment and human capital development, as the burgeoning hydrogen sector promises meaningful career prospects for Omani youth in research and development, engineering, technical industries, and operations.