UK-Saudi Collaboration to Establish Joint Institute for Clean Hydrogen

UK-Saudi Collaboration to Establish Joint Institute for Clean Hydrogen

(IN BRIEF) A consortium of British universities, including Newcastle, Northumbria, Teesside, Durham, and Cranfield, is collaborating with Saudi Arabian universities and industrial partners to establish a Joint International Institute for Clean Hydrogen. Announced by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer during a Gulf visit, the initiative aims to drive research, train engineers, and create businesses vital to the transition from fossil fuels to sustainable energy. The project will support global Net Zero goals, benefit local communities, and amplify the UK’s green energy agenda. A delegation from the universities will travel to Saudi Arabia to progress the partnership, which builds on Newcastle University’s existing collaboration with Princess Nourah University and the country’s investment in Newcastle United.

(PRESS RELEASE) NEWCASTLE, 9-Dec-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — A group of leading British universities is embarking on a collaborative initiative with partners in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to establish a Joint International Institute for Clean Hydrogen, aiming to drive advancements in sustainable energy and accelerate the transition to Net Zero.

The project, announced by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer during a visit to the Gulf, brings together Newcastle, Northumbria, Teesside, Durham, and Cranfield universities, along with Saudi universities, research institutions, and industrial partners from both nations. The collaboration is designed to foster cutting-edge research, cultivate the next generation of engineers, and promote the creation of businesses pivotal to the global energy transition from fossil fuels to clean energy sources.

University representatives expressed enthusiasm for the initiative, emphasizing its potential to place the UK at the forefront of the green energy agenda. “By strengthening our international partnerships, this collaboration lays the groundwork for a research and innovation ecosystem that will benefit local communities, create jobs, and provide a skilled workforce while amplifying the global impact of our research,” they said in a joint statement.

A delegation from the UK universities is set to travel to Saudi Arabia in the coming months to advance discussions on the project.

Highlighting the broader significance of the initiative, a Newcastle University spokesperson noted its alignment with the institution’s commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and its established ties with Saudi Arabia. “This partnership builds on the success of Saudi investment in Newcastle United and our collaborative efforts with Princess Nourah University, particularly in advancing the role of women in sport,” they stated.

This partnership underscores the potential of international cooperation to address critical global challenges while contributing to local and regional development through sustainable energy innovation and education.

Media contact:

Ivan Lazarov
Media Relations Manager (Science, Agriculture & Engineering)
Tel: +44 (0) 191 208 7850
Email: ivan.lazarov@ncl.ac.uk

SOURCE: Newcastle University