Ukraine Hydrogen Prediction: 900,000 Tons Per Year by 2035
On May 28, 2024, Igor Kovalov, General Director of the Directorate for Resource Efficient Transformation at the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine, delivered a speech at the III Annual Conference of the Ukrainian Hydrogen Council.
Ukraine wants to see a developed hydrogen strategy
The event is dedicated to accelerating the development of hydrogen technologies in Ukraine and beyond. It brought together leading experts, scientists, and industry representatives.
In his speech, Igor Kovalov emphasised the importance of developing a hydrogen strategy, which has been underway since 2021.
The previous version of the strategy, presented in 2023, was not approved due to inconsistencies with other strategic documents and the lack of a feasibility study. However, in June 2023, the European Commission approved two delegated EU acts.
It established the requirements for guarantees of origin for energy and technological processes for hydrogen production from renewable sources. In September of the same year, an updated directive on renewable energy (RED III) was also approved.
“These changes in European policy necessitated the update of Ukraine’s hydrogen strategy, considering the objective situation in the country,” noted Igor Kovalov.
The new version of the strategy was developed with the involvement of scientific institutions, industry associations, and experts.
It focuses on the main principles for developing hydrogen energy in Ukraine, outlining strategic goals and stages. The document also analyses current international legislation, defining priority areas for updating the national regulatory framework.
Ambitious Hydrogen plans for 2035
Igor Kovalov highlighted the importance of cooperation with leading countries in hydrogen production, storage, and transportation.
The Ministry of Energy has already begun this work. The strategy provides detailed descriptions of the trans-European hydrogen corridor project, which involves collaboration with Ukrainian and European companies.
“We predict that by 2035, hydrogen production and consumption in the domestic market will amount to at least 900,000 tons per year, with plans to install at least 12 GW of targeted wind and solar power plants,” Kovalov added.
Concluding his speech, he announced that the strategy had already received preliminary approval from all central government agencies.
It is currently undergoing legal review at the Ministry of Justice. After completing all necessary procedures, the document will be submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers for consideration by the end of June.
“This will be our common victory,” Igor Kovalov concluded.
The conference marked a significant step towards implementing hydrogen technologies in Ukraine. It promotes the development of renewable energy and strengthens cooperation with European partners.
Byline: Reinis Alksnājs
