Ukraine has the potential to be a major supplier of the EU’s hydrogen demand, according to the president of the nation’s Hydrogen Council.

Ukraine’s hydrogen strategy was due to be approved in February but was delayed by Russia’s invasion. A copy seen by Hydrogen Economist foresees the development of 10GW of production capacity, 2.5GW of which will produce green hydrogen for domestic consumption and 7.5GW for consumption in the EU.

“The EU will move to hydrogen quicker because of the embargo of Russian oil and gas,” says Oleksandr Riepkin, president of Ukraine’s Hydrogen Council, speaking on a webinar organised by consultancy Mission Hydrogen. “We have already started discussions with Brussels [about this].”

Last week European Commission executive vice president Frans Timmermans held a call with Ukraine’s foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba.

“Ukraine and the EU will rebuild a common sovereign and sustainable future with hydrogen and biogas,” Timmermans tweeted after the call.

The two regions are due to sign an agreement on renewable gases in May, according to Riepkin.

European connections

Ukraine has the potential for 688GW of wind, according to studies done before the war, although it has installed only 1.5GW of capacity currently. Additionally, it has twenty road connections to the EU. And the Danube connects the nation to five EU countries.

“Ukraine and the EU will rebuild a common sovereign and sustainable future with hydrogen and biogas” Timmermans, European Commission

The Blue Danube project hopes to ship hydrogen via liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHC) up the Danube on barges. Currently it is at pilot phase and no hydrogen is yet being shipped from Ukraine. The project has applied for funding from the EU’s Important Project of Common European Interest (IPCEI) pot.

Ukraine and the EU are also collaborating on a potential central European hydrogen corridor.

State-owned Gas TSO of Ukraine, Slovakia’s Eustream, the Czech Republic’s Net4gas and Germany’s OGE aim to connect hydrogen demand in Germany with production facilities in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Ukraine.

Slovakia and the Czech Republic already operate a large natural gas pipeline corridor connecting Ukraine with European demand areas, which could be repurposed to transport hydrogen.

But these projects—and all other hydrogen-related projects—are on hold as the government prioritises the military security of the country, Riepkin notes.

“When we win [the war] we will start this central European hydrogen corridor,” he says.

Shipping options

The different options for shipping hydrogen to the EU from the Ukraine have varying advantages and disadvantages, according to Maryna Hritsyshyna, senior expert in regulatory affairs at technology firm Hydrogenious LOHC Technologies.

Shipping hydrogen using LOHC technologies to Europe is currently forecast to add delivery costs of €1.64/kg ($1.78/kg). Ammonia is expected to cost €1.89/kg and the use of repurposed gas pipelines €0.23/kg—although the last figure excludes pipeline upgrade investment costs.

10GW – Target production capacity in Ukraine’s hydrogen strategy

“All of these options can be used by different projects,” she says, noting that LOHC technologies are considered the safest. “But each contain certain challenges.”

Ukraine must develop a reputable guarantee of origin certification (GOO) scheme to facilitate green hydrogen trade with Europe, Hritsyshyna adds.

Growing demand

The European Commission has recently proposed doubling the EU’s target for domestic hydrogen production and increasing imports by 10mn t/yr in order to avoid the use of Russian gas.

The EU’s hydrogen strategy identifies Ukraine as a priority partner, and various reports from the Commission have highlighted the nation’s potential for green hydrogen production and corresponding need for investment. 

Germany in particular has long been keen to develop ties with Ukraine—opening a ‘hydrogen diplomacy’ office in the country before the war.

Germany foreign minister Annalena Baerbock said she wanted to help strengthen ties with Ukraine in January, specifically referencing hydrogen.

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Author: Tom Young