The UAE and the UK signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on 13 January to exchange information and knowledge to advance the energy sector and sustainable development, the state-run WAM news agency reported.

The MoU aims to “enhance strategic and technical cooperation in the energy sector, develop renewable energy technologies, including regulatory frameworks and incentives,” according to official sources.

The signing ceremony was attended by the UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, Suhail bin Mohamed al-Mazrouei, and the UK Secretary of State for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy, Grant Schapps, in addition to other officials from both countries.

The Emirati minister explained that the MoU is “very significant in light of the common interest of both countries, as it helps them implement an energy policy that would provide a low-carbon, secure and sustainable energy supply at affordable prices.”

He emphasized that both countries understand how critical it is to increase energy efficiency, decarbonize their constituent parts, and develop renewable energy technologies to help the world reach carbon neutrality by 2050.

Mazrouei also highlighted the crucial role of the UAE and the UK in laying the foundations for climate action as the UAE prepares to host the COP28 Climate Summit in Dubai.

On 12 January, the UAE appointed the Minister of Industry and Technology and chief executive of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), Sultan al-Jaber, as the president of COP28.

The agreement between Abu Dhabi and London came on the same day as Masdar, a provider of renewable energy in the UAE, announced it had signed a similar MoU with four Dutch firms to investigate the possibility of exporting green hydrogen from Abu Dhabi to Europe, according to Reuters.

To collaborate on the creation of a green hydrogen supply chain that supports the Dutch and European markets, Masdar signed an MoU with the Port of Amsterdam, SkyNRG, Evos Amsterdam, and Zenith Energy. This supply chain will be centered on production in Abu Dhabi and export to the Netherlands through the port of Amsterdam.

Since the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the search for energy deals to replace sanctions-hit Russia’s LNG imports, the UAE has emerged as a critical partner for Western nations.

After discussions between UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan (MbZ) and French President Emmanuel Macron, France and the UAE signed a strategic collaboration deal in the energy sector on 18 July 2022.

To reduce France’s reliance on Russian fuel, Macron said at the time that Paris was ready to obtain diesel from the UAE (LNG).

Two months later, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz traveled to to the Gulf to hold talks with Saudi, UAE, and Qatari representatives.

Scholz’s tour was part of Germany’s latest efforts to diversify its energy supply amidst a looming energy shortage due to aggressive sanctions against Russia.