Al Ghandi Auto, one of the largest automotive groups in the UAE, said it recently installed two innovative hydrogen gensets in order to provide environmentally friendly power to the electric-vehicle (EV) charging stations in the company’s stockyard.
Al Ghandi Auto is the exclusive distributor of GMC and Chevrolet vehicles in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, as well as Cadillac in the entire UAE. The company said that using the advanced hydrogen fuel cell technology, chemical energy stored in the cells is converted to electricity “with zero emissions, zero vibration and almost zero noise, thus revolutionising how businesses meet their energy requirements”.
Al Ghandi added that its step is in line with the UAE’s environmental goals as the country was the first in the GCC to commit to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and aspires to be the first in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) to achieve this significant target.
According to the UAE Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative, the deployment and use of clean energy solutions is one of the main pillars of the country’s model for addressing the pressing challenges of climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The UAE President, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, earlier announced 2023 as the Year of Sustainability in the country. In line with this initiative, Al Ghandi Auto said it has set new standards by adopting hydrogen as the fuel that will accelerate the UAE’s sustainable energy transition.
“As one of the largest automotive organisations in the UAE and the MENA region, Al Ghandi Auto is committed to reducing negative environmental impacts and promoting sustainable practices,” said a statement form the company, adding: “Hydrogen is an emission-free energy source when converted to electricity, and as a natural element it can be produced in various ways. The electrolysis of water, in which an electric current splits water into oxygen and hydrogen, is one of these methods. When the electricity used in the process originates from a renewable source, such as solar energy, the production is entirely environmentally friendly. Dubai has already established the first industrial scale green hydrogen plant in the MENA region.”
Al Ghandi Auto’s new hydrogen gensets produce electricity by combining hydrogen and oxygen, with the only by-product being pure water droplets. This process, known as electrochemical conversion, guarantees that hydrogen gensets release no CO2, toxic fumes or fine particles into the atmosphere. In addition, hydrogen has the highest energy content of any common fuel by weight, making it a far more potent power source. With a fast start-up time, as well as simple and secure operation, hydrogen gensets enable the production of electricity on demand, offering a reliable and efficient power source for the company’s electric vehicles charging needs.
Hydrogen gensets to make major carbon savings
Al Ghandi Auto estimates that using the two hydrogen gensets instead of diesel generators will reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 30 tons per year, which is equivalent to planting 1,300 trees. The company said this aligns perfectly with its commitment to reducing negative environmental impacts and promoting sustainable practices.
Mark Jenkins, CEO of Al Ghandi Auto Group, said: “The successful installation and operation of two hydrogen gensets demonstrates our unwavering commitment towards local and global community. Al Ghandi Auto is completely aligned with our leadership’s goals for the UAE’s sustainable development and is already making strides to secure a better tomorrow for future generations.”
According to the company, the installation of the advanced hydrogen gensets “is only the beginning of its efforts to incorporate sustainable energy solutions into its operations”. With the sun shining brightly on the UAE all year long, Al Ghandi Auto is also in the process of installing solar panels in the company’s stockyard. The facility’s operations will then be powered primarily by solar energy, with hydrogen gensets serving as a backup.
Upon completion of this ambitious project, Al Ghandi Auto will become the only automotive company in the UAE and the region to operate one of its facilities with zero greenhouse gas emissions, claimed the company, which has 16 EV Chevrolet Bolts in its fleet as part of its efforts in promoting “Green change”.