The 240m International Forbes Tower will utilize energy from hydrogen and solar panels, thus becoming independent from the electrical grid.
“The New Administrative Capital” of Egypt, a city being constructed on the outskirts of Cairo, will house the hydrogen-powered skyscraper. From the outset, the International Forbes Tower, a 240-meter office building being constructed near the Iconic Tower, the tallest skyscraper in Africa, aims to be an environmentally friendly structure. Designed by Gordon Gill of Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, the 43-story building will utilize clean hydrogen, supported by solar panels on the façade, according to CNN.
Top view drawing of the International Forbes Tower. (Image: Magnom Properties/AS+GG).
According to the developer Magnom Properties, with an energy supply consisting of 75% hydrogen and 25% solar panels, the building will not rely on conventional electricity. All building materials will have low emissions, helping to reduce pollution by 58% during the construction process. Meanwhile, recycling and on-site water treatment will help decrease the demand for clean water, which is essential in a country facing increasing water scarcity.
Through these measures, Magnom Properties aims to achieve the goal of eliminating more carbon than what the building emits throughout its lifespan and to become the world’s first building to apply for a carbon neutrality permit from the Institute for Future Living Research. Magnom Properties has signed an agreement with Schneider Electric and H2 Enterprises to explore the use of LOHC technology as a power source for the building.
LOHC is an organic compound that absorbs and releases hydrogen through chemical reactions, which can be used to store produced hydrogen and transport it in a stable form from the supply source to the end use location. LOHC allows for the repurposing of existing fossil fuel transportation infrastructure to accommodate new technology. After transportation, hydrogen can be separated from LOHC and placed in a fuel cell to generate electricity. The agreement will assist Magnom in evaluating the design, space requirements, and economic feasibility of using hydrogen for the International Forbes Tower.
The International Forbes Tower will be located in the central business district of the New Administrative Capital. This smart satellite city of Cairo is closely tied to sustainability goals and began construction in 2026. Many key buildings in the project, with an estimated cost of $58 billion, have already been completed.
