The head of the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine allowed the export of hydrogen to the EU via gas pipelines

Minister of Energy of Ukraine German Galushchenko in an interview Kurier allowed the use of gas pipelines to export hydrogen to the European Union.

“The European hydrogen strategy envisages importing more than 10 million tons per year by 2030. We can easily produce from 3.5 million to 5 million tons… The most important question here is how gas pipelines can be used to export hydrogen in the future,” said Mr. Galushchenko.

The minister added that it is possible to produce hydrogen using renewable sources using land that has become unsuitable for agriculture due to military operations.

On March 4, Prime Minister of Ukraine Denis Shmygal said at a press conference that the country is ready to extend the transit of Russian gas after the contract with Gazprom expires at the end of 2024, but does not intend to negotiate this directly with Moscow. According to him, transit is possible if there is a corresponding request from European countries.

European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson reportedthat the European Union will refuse Ukrainian gas transit from Russia from 2025. The EU is also exploring the possibility of using Ukrainian storage facilities to store its gas reserves. March 5, the head of the “GTS Operator of Ukraine” Dmitry Lippa statedthat if Europe needs Russian gas, Ukraine is ready to provide it until 2027.

In the energy strategy of Ukraine until 2050 it saysthat the country wants to become a European energy hub that will help the continent get rid of its dependence on Russian fuel with the help of clean energy produced in the country. Mr. Galushchenko estimated the costs of implementing the strategy at $383 billion.

Erdni Kagaltynov