The first commercial scale carbon-capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) facility in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is now functional and aims to sequester up to 800,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year.

The plant is based in Abu Dhabi’s Musaffah industrial enclave, the UAE state news agency WAM reported.

Developed by Abu Dhabi’s Carbon Capture Company Al Reyadah, a joint venture between Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and Masdar, the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, the project harnesses CO2 emitted by a major Abu Dhabi steel producer, Emirates Steel Industries (ESI).

Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State, ADNOC CEO and Chairman of Masdar, recently unveiled the ground-breaking CCUS facility in the presence of Suhail bin Mohammed Faraj Faris Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy; Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al-Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment; Dr. Ahmad bin Abdulla Humaid Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of State for Higher Education and a number of senior officials and CEOs of stakeholder companies.

“Al Reyadah is a prime example of how clean technology can be integrated with traditional energy to create efficiency and optimise resource,” said Dr. Al Jaber.

“Al Reyadah exemplifies how the UAE is committed to climate action and responsible energy production through private and public sector partnerships, and it positions the UAE amongst the pioneers of this cutting-edge technology,” said Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al-Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment.