Stargate Hydrogen, a leading green hydrogen technology firm from Estonia, has entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Research, Development, and Innovation Authority (RDIA) of Saudi Arabia, according to Stargate Hydrogen. This collaboration aims to accelerate hydrogen innovation and establish Saudi Arabia as a center for sustainable energy technology.
Key Initiatives and Strategic Plans
The agreement outlines several key initiatives:
- Stargate Hydrogen will open a new regional headquarters in Riyadh, named Stargate Hydrogen KSA, to advance deep-tech solutions for green hydrogen production.
- The company also plans to adapt its proprietary technologies for use within the Kingdom.
- Forming partnerships with Saudi academic institutions such as King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST).
- Working with local manufacturers to boost domestic production of electrolyzer technologies.
A joint steering committee will guide the partnership, with teams from both organizations managing daily operations. Regular workshops and stakeholder meetings are planned to ensure alignment across government, industry, and academia.
Leadership Perspectives and Goals
Dr. Yazeed, Executive Director of Institutional Funding and Acting Vice Governor for Ecosystem Development at RDIA, emphasized that this partnership reflects a shared dedication to advancing green hydrogen technologies and supporting the Kingdom’s sustainability goals.
Marko Virkebau, CEO of Stargate Hydrogen, highlighted Saudi Arabia’s competitive environment for scaling transformative technologies and noted the company’s commitment to supporting local talent and intellectual property generation.
This initiative is part of RDIA’s Global Startups Attraction Program, facilitated by Apex Ventures and the Ministry of Investment. It also marks an expansion of Stargate Hydrogen’s presence in the Middle East.
International Partnerships and Industry Impact
In related developments, Stargate Hydrogen recently partnered with Spain’s Repsol, which acquired a minority stake in the company to support international growth and technology development. The alliance aims to reduce the cost of renewable hydrogen and speed up the decarbonization of heavy industry, while enhancing Europe’s energy independence in critical technologies.
