Mitsubishi Power, the power solutions 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 project marks the first industrial use of hydrogen as a fuel in an industrial boiler in both Egypt and the broader Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
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Reducing carbon emissions
Originally announced in 2022 as a full turnkey contract, the initiative involved the design, engineering, supply, and installation of advanced systems to rehabilitate and upgrade a 100-ton-per-hour main boiler. The unit was converted from heavy fuel oil and natural gas to operate entirely on 100 percent hydrogen fuel — a significant technological milestone.
As part of the project, approximately 14,000 tons per year of hydrogen-rich gases generated from production units were harnessed, allowing the refinery to cut natural gas consumption by about 24,000 tons annually. This shift is projected to reduce carbon emissions by nearly 65,000 tons each year, underscoring its environmental impact.
Egypt’s drive to decarbonization
The project is a pivotal step in Egypt’s energy transition strategy and aligns with the country’s broader vision to decarbonize its energy sector and meet sustainable development goals. The project also highlights Egypt’s leadership in clean energy innovation and its growing prominence in the global hydrogen economy.
Leadership insights
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 success of the initiative is the result of a strategic collaboration between Mitsubishi Power and ANRPC, combining Mitsubishi Power’s expertise in cutting-edge hydrogen technology with ANRPC’s operational leadership.
Together, they have delivered a proven, replicable model for integrating hydrogen into industrial energy systems —potentially laying the groundwork for broader hydrogen adoption across Egypt and the MENA region.
Javier Cavada, president and CEO, Europe, Middle East and Africa at Mitsubishi Power, said: “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.”
Mitsubishi Power’s support for energy transition
The milestone reflects Mitsubishi Power’s long-standing commitment to advancing carbon-neutral power generation and supporting energy transition pathways across key markets. It also signals a new chapter in Egypt’s low-carbon future, further cementing its role as a regional leader in sustainable energy transformation.
