Oleksandr Riepkin: Hydrogen is not the distant future, but the present

Hydrogen is not the distant future, but the present. This is an opportunity for Ukraine to take a great economic step, and at the geopolitical level, the export of "green" hydrogen to Europe would radically change the position of its strategic importance and partnership with the European Union.

This was stated by President of the Energy Association "Ukrainian Hydrogen Council" Oleksandr Riepkin during a panel discussion at the Ukraine Gas Investment Congress in Kyiv on October 21.

“The EU Hydrogen Strategy was adopted last year, and it is a significant day in the history of hydrogen energy development. Ukraine is included in this strategy, so Europe expects us to be a strong partner for hydrogen production, export and development in the internal market. At the moment, it is important for us to fulfill our homework - adopt a national hydrogen strategy”.

The President of the Association said that as part of the strategy development, an analysis of possible locations of hydrogen production facilities and ways of its transportation was conducted. In addition to the gas transmission system, the potential of the Danube River and sea routes can be used to transport hydrogen, as one of the cheapest modes of transportation is the use of LOHC technology and the existing fleet.

Oleksandr Riepkin also stressed that in addition to the national hydrogen strategy, Ukraine needs to develop roadmaps for each sector where there is potential for hydrogen use.

Ukraine Gas Investment Congress was held in Kyiv on October 20-21, 2021 at the initiative of Naftogaz and with the support of the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine and the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine.