The demand for fossil fuels might dramatically decrease by 2030, giving rise to demand for hydrogen energy, which the MENA region is poised to become a world leader in fulfilling, according to a top official from Cummins.

Representing Cummins Arabia at the recently conducted 2nd MENA Energy Meet, Alan D. Kneisz, global business development director, Hydrogen and Fuel Cell, Cummins, elucidated the company’s energy transition endeavour at the collaborative platform for global and regional energy stakeholders, where leading industry experts, policymakers and government officials discussed approaches and solutions for shaping the future of the energy sector.

As part of his presentation, Kneisz explained how Cummins has been expanding its footprint across the world with its hydrogen technology for a sustainable present and future. He added that with its research and innovation prowess, Cummins has been at the forefront of low-carbon technologies, and with its 70-plus years of electrolysis and over 25 years of fuel cell production experience, has built a diverse Hydrogen Technology portfolio and expertise in battery, fuel cell and hydrogen production technologies.

Alan also shed light on the MENA region’s potential because of the captive markets both locally and in Europe, having large demands of Green Hydrogen with aggressive decarbonisation targets. Showcasing the highlights of Cummins’ global leadership in electrolysis and fuel cell projects and its Green Hydrogen ecosystem, his presentation highlighted the Cummins product line – for both stationary and mobility applications, and the world’s most advanced Fuel Cell Modules.

The audience was led through the benefits of the advent of the hydrogen ecosystem – leading to zero emissions, and as a low-cost alternative over CCUS. The focus was also on ease of adoption, achieved easily through zero-emission funding for carbon reduction in cities and with local partnerships.

Touching upon the much-debated topic of scalability, Alan said: “Cummins is well placed to achieve the same for hydrogen and fuel cells production and deployment in the MENA region, a fact backed by (our) real-world implementations in commercial applications, which includes the world’s first large FCEV bus fleet and the world’s largest fuel cell project with Alstom.”

He concluded by stressing on the economic ability of Cummins to deploy large-scale hydrogen projects, reinforced by its global presence, mass production facilities, and the active participation in different global energy councils – such as hydrogen councils – that makes the company a trusted player to meet the needs of the growing hydrogen economy.