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Mitsubishi Power, a brand of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), has successfully completed and handed over a groundbreaking hydrogen fuel conversion project at the Alexandria National Refining and Petrochemicals Company (ANRPC) refinery in Egypt. The initiative marks the first industrial application of hydrogen as fuel in an industrial boiler in both Egypt and the wider MENA region.
Announced in 2022 as a full turnkey contract, the project involved Mitsubishi Power managing the design, engineering, supply, and installation of equipment and control systems. The team rehabilitated and upgraded a 100-tonne-per-hour boiler, enabling it to operate entirely on hydrogen, transitioning from its previous use of heavy fuel oil and natural gas.
The project enables the reuse of 14,000 tonnes of hydrogen-rich gases annually from production units, slashing natural gas consumption by an estimated 24,000 tonnes and cutting carbon emissions by roughly 65,000 tonnes per year.
This milestone aligns with Egypt’s broader energy transition and sustainable development objectives, positioning the country as a regional leader in clean energy. It also reflects Mitsubishi Power’s dedication to delivering decarbonisation technologies, while spotlighting the role of hydrogen in transforming Egypt’s industrial energy landscape.
Sayed Al-Rawi, chairman and managing director of ANRPC, said: “We are proud to be part of Egypt’s journey towards a clean energy future and to contribute to achieving Egypt Vision 2030 with this pioneering milestone to using hydrogen as a fuel. This project represents an unprecedented achievement for ANRPC, Egypt, and the entire region. By integrating hydrogen into refining processes, we are contributing to reduce Egypt’s carbon footprint and set a new standard for the country’s industrial sector. We are proud of our partnership with Mitsubishi Power on this project, which is a true example of how international partnerships and advanced technology can bring about fundamental change toward a sustainable energy future. We are thrilled about the positive environmental impact of this project in reducing emissions, and we look forward to continuing our role in supporting Egypt’s transition to clean energy. Together, we can help meet current energy needs and participate in shaping a sustainable energy future in Egypt and the region.”
The collaboration also reinforces Egypt’s strategy to emerge as a key player in the global hydrogen economy.
Javier Cavada, president and CEO for Europe, Middle East and Africa at Mitsubishi Power, added: “The success of this first-of-a-kind hydrogen conversion project marks a milestone in Egypt’s transition to clean energy and reflects Mitsubishi Power’s global leadership in developing advanced, low-carbon power generation technologies. We are honored to partner with ANRPC and support Egypt’s ambitious vision for a clean energy transition, providing our expertise to transition existing infrastructure to low-carbon commercially viable systems. This project will lay down the foundation to a commercial path for decarbonizing Egypt’s industrial facilities with minimal downtime, in addition to demonstrating the tangible and positive impact of hydrogen in reducing emissions and developing sustainable energy solutions. Mitsubishi Power is committed to supporting Egypt’s journey towards a cleaner and more sustainable energy future, and we look forward to strengthening our collaboration with ANRPC and other stakeholders to drive the transition to hydrogen across the region.”
With the successful handover complete, the project is expected to serve as a catalyst for future hydrogen adoption across Egypt and the MENA region, further enhancing the country’s position in the low-carbon energy transition.
