The State Agency on Energy Efficiency and Energy Saving of Ukraine (SAEE) together with Ukraine's largest energy community "Energy Club" brought together international experts to analyze hydrogen economy development in the European dimension.

"Today, despite difficult circumstances, it would be a mistake not to take into account a much broader view of what is going on in the energy sector - the foundation of the whole modern economy. Considering all the challenges – energy security, climate change, sustainability – we definitely need to reassess the whole structure of available energy sources and technologies that are in the basement of the progress”, said the Head of the State Agency on Energy Efficiency and Energy Saving of Ukraine Valerii Bezus, opening the discussion.

"We consider hydrogen economy as one of the pillars of rebuilding and renovation of Ukraine. So we are going to use those opportunities that have been emerged with global energy transition process, in close cooperation with our partners in the EU", the Head explained.

It is important to rebuild and modernize industries such as the chemical industry and metallurgy on a new technological basement. It is also necessary to restore green energy generation. For this, it is necessary to maximally involve the entire scientific, R&D potential of both Ukraine and the international community.

The representatives of the Ministry of Energy, the World Bank, UNDP, United Nations Environment Development Program (UNEP), Hydrogen Technology Cooperation Program under auspices of the International Energy Agency, German Energy Agency, Danish Energy Agency, Gas Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Hydrogen Energy Center (USA), Helmholtz Center Berlin for Materials and Energy, Center for Natural Resources CERENA (Portugal) joined the professional discussion. 

"Globally, interest in the hydrogen economy is growing significantly. The need for energy security and heavy industry’s decarbonization are the first drivers of the hydrogen energy development", said Silvia Martinez Romero – Senior Energy Specialist for Europe and Central Asia at the World Bank.

Thus, 16 countries of the world have adopted their own hydrogen energy strategies. In 2020, the European Commission adopted the EU Hydrogen Strategy and in 2022 there was presented the REPowerEU plan, which aims to achieve 10 million tons of "green" hydrogen production and 10 million tons of its import in 2030, including from Ukraine.

"Among different countries of the world, Ukraine really has competitive advantages in the development of the hydrogen economy: a significant potential of renewable energy sources, proximity to the EU, an extensive GTS, the potential for hydrogen storage," noted Mrs. Romero.

The prospects of Ukraine in this direction were also confirmed by Kilian Crone – Team Leader Hydrogen & Synthetic Energy Carriers at the German Energy Agency. At the same time, it is necessary to implement legislative basis and standards in accordance with European ones. For this, there is a strong political will in Ukraine, Kilian Crone is sure.

Outlining the financial aspects of launching hydrogen production projects, the UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre expert Romanas Savikas noted that the cost of producing electrolyzers and a clear regulatory field are mainly those barriers that different countries are facing. It is also important to prioritize ways of developing the hydrogen economy, building an efficient eco-system with the appropriate infrastructure.

Brad Bradshaw, president of the Hydrogen Energy Center (USA), drew attention to the critical aspects of the hydrogen economy, especially the problem of hydrogen transportation. According to him, now in the world hydrogen is mostly used where it is produced. Nevertheless, he recommends Ukraine to focus on the following areas of work: production of ammonia from hydrogen for domestic use and import, mixing of hydrogen with natural gas, liquid hydrogen generation for heavy transport.

At the same time, hydrogen economy development should be based on scientific solutions and innovations, representatives of scientific institutions said. Specialists of research centers of Germany and Portugal reported readiness to exchange experience and cooperate with Ukraine.

Communication and PR Department

State Agency on Energy Efficiency and Energy Saving of Ukraine (SAEE)