Status and prospects of renewable hydrogen use in Ukraine: impact on industry and decarbonization pathways

Abstract

Ukraine has tremendous potential for renewable energy production. With sources such as solar and wind, coupled with a strong industrial sector (primarily in metallurgy and chemical industry), Ukraine is well positioned to play a significant role in large-scale production of green hydrogen. This is particularly relevant today with the global shift towards green hydrogen production.Currently, Ukraine’s hydrogen production stands at approximately 360,000 t/year, which is primarily used for ammonia production. While this only accounts for 0.5% of the total global demand, with technological advancement and investment, Ukraine could significantly increase its hydrogen production capacity.Central European directives, in particular the European Commission’s “Energy System Integration. Hydrogen” and the “Green Hydrogen for a European Green Deal: A 2х40 GW Initiative”, identify Ukraine as a strategic partner in the development of renewable hydrogen. These strategic documents envision the construction of up to 10 GW of electrolysis capacities in Ukraine by 2030, intended for renewable hydrogen production. About 1.8 GW of this capacity is for the domestic market, primarily for the production of green ammonia, a critical commodity for the agro-industrial complex.Implementing these initiatives could significantly reduce Ukraine’s energy dependence on imported fuels and significantly reduce harmful emissions, in line with international efforts towards sustainable development. This transition could play a pivotal role in the decarbonization of Ukraine’s economy and contribute to its national energy security. However, realizing this requires significant advancement in hydrogen production technology and infrastructure.This includes infrastructure for efficient storage and transportation of hydrogen. Furthermore, it requires government policy support, namely investment incentives, research and development subsidies, and assistance in the infrastructure development. Thus, the prospects for the evolution of hydrogen economy in Ukraine are indeed attractive. The production of green ammonia is an important step in this direction. Under favourable conditions, it is possible to produce hydrogen for consumption both domestically and for export to European Union countries.