From the natural gas that underpins power generation to the carbon dioxide emissions driving the climate crisis, there is no denying gases have a significant impact on modern life, according to Eve Pope, senior technology analyst at IDTechEx.

The two lightest gases - hydrogen and helium - may be made up of small molecules but have a big role to play in the technology innovations of the future. Key application areas include mobility, power generation, and semiconductor manufacturing.

Hydrogen power

Hydrogen is an energy carrier that could replace fossil fuels to power the future. Fuel cells can convert hydrogen gas into electricity through a chemical reaction with oxygen. Because solid oxide fuel cells have a long operating lifetime and fuel flexibility, they are well-suited to the continuous power generation required for sustainable data centres. As the AI boom continues, some data centres are already using solid oxide fuel cells running on natural gas, with plans to transition over to low-carbon hydrogen once economics and infrastructure can make this commercially feasible.

For cars, fuel cell electric vehicles can also be powered by the reactions between stored hydrogen and oxygen in the air. Markets for fuel cell electric vehicles will depend upon national investments in green hydrogen projects and rollouts of hydrogen refueling stations.

Industrial decarbonisation of iron and steel enabled by hydrogen

For iron and steel, natural gas direct reduced iron (DRI) production using shaft furnaces is already mature. Hydrogen-based DRI (H2-DRI) processes represent the next logical evolution toward greener steel production. Midrex and Energiron shaft furnace plants have successfully demonstrated the use of hydrogen or hydrogen-rich gases, as evidenced in projects like HYBRIT by SSAB in Sweden and HBIS Group in China.

The success of hydrogen-based green steel production will depend heavily upon the availability of green and blue hydrogen and supporting infrastructure, with IDTechEx’s “Green Steel 2025-2035: Technologies, Players, Markets, Forecasts” report forecasting that 46 million tonnes of steel will be produced enabled by hydrogen in 2035.

Hydrogen isotopes for nuclear fusion

Even the heavier isotopes of hydrogen have a role to play. Deuterium and tritium are essential fuels for nuclear fusion technologies, hoped to provide energy-dense, continuous sources of green energy with no risk of meltdown. According to IDTechEx’s “Fusion Energy Market 2025-2045: Technologies, Players, Timelines” report, commercial fusion companies have raised over US$9bn to date, while an increasing number of governments see fusion as the modern day 'space race'. Players are pursuing different reactor designs and fuels, leading to various materials opportunities and supply chain challenges.

Helium required for semiconductor manufacturing

Helium is widely used in manufacturing processes due to its cooling and inert properties. It is crucial for thermal management during semiconductor production. As semiconductor manufacturing advances towards smaller nodes (essential for AI, autonomous vehicles, etc.), reliance on helium will continue to grow. Helium is a finite resource, so technologies for helium production and helium substitutes covered in IDTechEx’s “Helium for Semiconductors and Beyond 2025-2035: Market, Trends, and Forecasts” report will become increasingly essential.

Materials key to hydrogen and helium production

From the ion exchange membranes in electrolyzers for green hydrogen generation to the gas separation membranes used in helium and hydrogen production, the applications explored in this article represent significant opportunities for chemicals and materials companies. Materials for green hydrogen are needed for components such as catalysts, electrodes, porous transport layers, gas diffusion layers, bipolar plates, and gaskets. Innovations include new catalysts with less iridium content to cut costs. For gas separation membranes, the development of new palladium-alloy metallic membranes could unlock ultra-pure H2 separation.

While the Gulf states dominate headlines with their giga-scale renewable projects, other countries across the Middle East are also making decisive strides in solar deployment, says Sania Aziz.

From Iraq’s urgent energy recovery plans to Jordan’s pioneering policy frameworks, and even Syria’s reliance on decentralised solar for essential services, these markets illustrate both the diversity of approaches and the pressing need for clean energy outside the Gulf.

Iraq: turning crisis into opportunity

Iraq’s fragile electricity system has long been defined by chronic shortages, blackouts, and reliance on ageing thermal plants. With grid losses and limited connectivity compounding the problem, solar energy has emerged as a critical tool in the country’s recovery strategy. The government has set a target of 10 GW of solar by 2030, with more than 2 GW already under signed agreements.

International partnerships are at the heart of this growth. Masdar is spearheading a 1 GW solar framework, while TotalEnergies is pursuing similar-scale projects across multiple governorates. Smaller hybrid systems, combining solar with diesel generation, are being rolled out in remote areas and displaced communities to improve reliability and reduce dependence on costly fuel imports. Rooftop solar is also gaining traction in Baghdad, Erbil, and Basra, where businesses and households seek backup power.

Jordan: a regional solar leader

Jordan stands out as one of the most mature solar markets outside the Gulf, having embraced renewables early with a strong mix of policy and private sector participation. The country has installed over 2.1 GW of solar capacity to date, supported by successful net metering and wheeling programmes that empower both households and industries to self-generate clean power.

Flagship projects such as the Baynouna Solar Park and the Quweira PV plant have established Jordan as a hub for international investors. In parallel, Jordan has taken a leadership role in deploying solar in humanitarian contexts, with the Zaatari refugee camp powered by a large solar facility that cuts costs while ensuring reliable supply for vulnerable populations. As solar penetration deepens, battery storage pilots are being tested to reduce curtailment and enhance grid resilience.

Syria: decentralised lifelines in conflict zones

Years of conflict and international sanctions have left Syria’s energy infrastructure severely weakened. In this context, solar has become less a matter of policy and more of necessity. Small-scale, off-grid systems, often supported by NGOs and international agencies, are supplying critical power to rural communities, schools, and medical centres.

While Syria possesses strong solar potential thanks to its climate and geography, large-scale projects remain unlikely in the near term due to financing and investment barriers. For now, decentralised solar-battery kits provide lifelines for basic services such as water pumping, lighting, and mobile charging. These deployments, though small in scale, demonstrate the essential role solar can play in humanitarian and recovery contexts.

The non-GCC markets highlight the diversity of solar adoption in the Middle East. Iraq is harnessing solar to stabilise its grid, Jordan is refining innovative policy mechanisms, and Syria is deploying solar as a humanitarian tool. Each country faces unique barriers, whether political, financial, or infrastructural, but all share a recognition that solar must underpin their future energy strategies.

For investors, technology providers, and policymakers, these markets present both risk and reward. While the Gulf may dominate with scale, non-GCC nations demonstrate the versatility of solar, from powering refugee camps to rebuilding fragile energy systems. Together, they remind us that the Middle East’s clean energy transition is not only about mega-projects, but also about how renewable power can be adapted to diverse national realities.

The Middle East is undergoing a sweeping transformation in its energy landscape, with solar power and storage technologies taking centre stage, writes Sania Aziz.

Once reliant almost exclusively on hydrocarbons, the MENA region is now positioning itself as a global hub for renewable energy innovation, investment, and large-scale deployment. National strategies, government tenders, and corporate adoption are aligning to create a diverse, multi-track approach to clean power, with solar at the heart of every plan.

At the regional level, the shift is being propelled by several core trends: rapid expansion of utility-scale solar plants often integrated with storage, the introduction of localisation requirements to build domestic supply chains, and a growing reliance on corporate power purchase agreements (PPAs). Green hydrogen ambitions are also reshaping energy agendas, with solar-powered electrolysis expected to anchor future exports. Alongside these efforts, cross-border interconnections are emerging as vital tools for enhancing grid flexibility and enabling energy trade across the Gulf and Levant.

UAE: setting global benchmarks

Among Middle Eastern markets, the UAE has established itself as a clear front-runner. With installed solar capacity of nearly 7 GW in 2024 and a target of 48.9 GW by 2030, the country is scaling up at a remarkable pace. Flagship projects such as the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai and Noor Abu Dhabi exemplify this leadership, combining cost reduction with cutting-edge technology deployment. At the same time, smaller emirates like Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah are expanding distributed solar, while Abu Dhabi pursues integrated hydrogen development.

Policy support has been critical. The UAE’s Clean Energy Strategy and Net Zero 2050 Initiative place solar at the centre of its diversification goals. Rooftop installations, corporate PPAs, and energy service company models are becoming common, while storage pilots are paving the way for dispatchable renewable systems.

Oman: building a hydrogen hub

Oman is carving out its place as a green hydrogen leader, leveraging its solar resources to develop integrated export platforms. Projects like HYPORT Duqm and SalalaH2 highlight the Sultanate’s ambition to become a global supplier of solar-backed hydrogen and ammonia. With a goal of meeting 30% of domestic electricity demand from renewables by 2030, Oman is coupling power sector reforms with investor-friendly independent power project tenders.

Saudi Arabia: scaling ambition

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 encapsulates the region’s boldest renewable energy programme, targeting 58.7 GW of renewable capacity by the end of the decade, with 40 GW from solar alone. The Sudair, Al Shuaiba, and Sakaka projects are early milestones, but the scale of ambition extends much further. By embedding localisation mandates into procurement rules, the Kingdom is stimulating domestic manufacturing while advancing giga-scale clean energy projects such as NEOM and Red Sea Global, which combine solar with hydrogen and storage at unprecedented scale.

Emerging markets: Iraq, Jordan, and beyond

Other Middle Eastern countries are also advancing their solar agendas, albeit at different speeds. Iraq, battling a fragile grid and frequent blackouts, has turned to solar as a rapid-deployment solution, targeting 10 GW by 2030. International partnerships with Masdar, TotalEnergies, and Chinese developers are central to this build-out. Jordan, an early adopter of solar, has already surpassed 2 GW of capacity and continues to refine net metering and wheeling frameworks, while piloting battery storage to strengthen its grid.

Bahrain, Qatar, and Kuwait are taking more measured steps. Bahrain, constrained by land availability, is focusing on rooftop solar and carports. Qatar, having commissioned the 800 MW Al Kharsaah plant, is beginning to integrate solar into desalination and industrial facilities. Kuwait is leaning on its Shagaya Renewable Energy Park while updating frameworks to attract private investment.

Challenges and opportunities

The region’s solar surge is not without hurdles. Grid integration, financing models, and long-duration storage remain pressing challenges. Political instability in the wider region has slowed progress, although decentralised solar systems are offering lifelines in underserved communities. Nevertheless, the scale of opportunity is immense. International investors are increasingly attracted to the region’s vast solar potential, low costs, and ambitious government roadmaps.

Taken together, these developments underline a regional energy transition that is no longer aspirational but firmly underway. The GCC, once defined solely by its fossil fuel wealth, is now carving a parallel identity as a renewable energy powerhouse. By 2030, the collective capacity additions, hydrogen ventures, and interconnection projects underway could establish the region as one of the world’s most dynamic solar and storage markets.