The UAE’s clean energy leader Masdar and Austrian energy major OMV have signed a binding agreement to establish a joint venture (JV) for the development, construction, and operation of a 140-megawatt (MW) green hydrogen plant in Bruck an der Leitha, Austria. The project, one of the largest of its kind in Europe, marks a significant milestone in the global transition toward low-carbon energy solutions.
The agreement was formalized at ADIPEC 2025 in Abu Dhabi, reflecting the UAE’s growing influence as a global hub for sustainable energy and innovation. The deal underscores the strengthening energy partnership between the UAE and Austria, uniting both nations in their shared goal to accelerate the clean energy transition.
While Masdar expands its hydrogen footprint globally, Masdar City Central Park continues to grow as a hub of community well-being and sustainability. Masdar Park known for its solar-powered amenities and green mobility mirrors the same values driving Masdar’s international projects: clean energy, innovation, and environmental stewardship.
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OMV Green Hydrogen Project: Decarbonising Schwechat Refinery
Construction of the plant began in September 2025, with full operations expected by 2027. Once operational, the facility will be capable of producing thousands of tonnes of green hydrogen annually, positioning it among Europe’s largest hydrogen production sites.
The new plant will play a central role in decarbonising OMV’s Schwechat refinery, one of Austria’s key industrial facilities. By replacing fossil-based hydrogen with green hydrogen produced through electrolysis powered by renewable electricity OMV aims to significantly reduce carbon emissions across its refining and chemical production operations.
This marks a major step toward meeting OMV’s 2030 strategy, which focuses on expanding sustainable energy solutions and reducing carbon intensity throughout its value chain.
OMV-Masdar Green Hydrogen Partnership
Under the terms of the agreement, OMV will hold a majority stake in the joint venture, while Masdar will own 49 percent. The collaboration brings together OMV’s strong industrial expertise and leadership in the European energy sector with Masdar’s proven track record in developing, financing, and operating renewable energy and hydrogen projects globally.
OMV, which already operates a 10 MW electrolyser facility in Schwechat, will procure renewable electricity to power the new plant and will also own and manage the green hydrogen output.
The partnership builds on a Letter of Intent signed in April 2025 between Masdar and OMV to explore joint opportunities in green hydrogen, synthetic sustainable aviation fuels (e-SAF), and synthetic chemicals production in both the UAE and Europe. The new joint venture now formalises this collaboration and lays the groundwork for future projects in Central and Northern Europe.
The JV is expected to close in early 2026, subject to final documentation, shareholder consent, and regulatory approvals.
MASDAR- OMV , Leadership Endorsements
The agreement was signed in the presence of several senior officials from both countries, including Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Chairman of Masdar; Dr. Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer, Austria’s Federal Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism; Dr. Alfred Stern, Chairman and CEO of OMV; and Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO of Masdar.
Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber said the partnership exemplifies the UAE’s commitment to building global energy partnerships that support sustainable growth and decarbonisation:
“The UAE has a longstanding commitment to working with our partners to accelerate the global energy systems transformation. This joint venture unites Masdar’s two decades of renewable energy leadership with OMV’s industrial capability, paving the way for future commercial opportunities across Europe. Today’s agreement also underscores the deep and growing collaboration between the UAE and Austria in powering growth for the information age.”
140 MW Green Hydrogen Electrolyser Powers EU Decarbonisation
The 140 MW electrolyser will produce green hydrogen through electrolysis, a process that splits water into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity from renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. The hydrogen produced will serve as a low-carbon feedstock for OMV’s refinery operations and potentially supply future synthetic fuel and chemical production.
This initiative supports both Austria’s national hydrogen strategy which aims to make the country a leading hydrogen hub in Europe and the EU’s broader Green Deal objectives. The project is also aligned with the UAE’s National Hydrogen Strategy 2050, which targets the production of 1.4 million tonnes of hydrogen annually by 2031.
For Masdar, the project adds to its expanding portfolio of hydrogen ventures. The company aims to become one of the world’s leading producers of green hydrogen and its derivatives by 2030, leveraging partnerships in key global markets, including Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
Deepening UAE–Austria Clean Energy Ties
The partnership between Masdar and OMV reflects a deepening bilateral energy relationship between the UAE and Austria. Over recent years, both nations have pursued collaboration in technology, sustainability, and industrial innovation, recognising hydrogen as a key enabler of the net-zero transition.
Austria’s drive to diversify its energy sources and reduce dependency on fossil fuels complements the UAE’s commitment to sustainable economic diversification and clean energy leadership. The cooperation also supports Masdar’s mission to expand its European footprint through renewable and hydrogen investments that contribute to global climate goals.
Europe’s Energy Transition
Europe’s demand for green hydrogen is growing rapidly as industries seek to decarbonise heavy manufacturing, transport, and chemical sectors. By 2030, the European Union expects hydrogen to supply up to 10 percent of the continent’s total energy mix, with electrolyser capacity reaching at least 40 gigawatts.
The Masdar-OMV green hydrogen plant will be one of the five largest in Europe upon completion, helping reduce industrial emissions and enhance the availability of sustainable hydrogen within the region. It also demonstrates how public-private partnerships (PPPs) can accelerate the deployment of clean energy infrastructure at scale.
Masdar & OMV: Future Expansion and Commercial Opportunities Across Europe
The joint venture is more than a standalone project it serves as a platform for future cooperation in developing hydrogen value chains across Europe and the Middle East.
Both companies are expected to explore synthetic fuels and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) opportunities, a crucial sector for reducing aviation emissions. These efforts align with Masdar’s growing involvement in e-fuel projects and OMV’s expertise in refining and chemical processes.
In the long term, the partnership could help bridge the gap between renewable-rich regions like the UAE and industrial markets in Europe, establishing reliable trade corridors for green hydrogen and derivatives such as ammonia and e-methanol.
