Uzbekistan has set its renewable energy generation target to 25% by 2026 and 40% by the year 2030 and the use of Green Hydrogen technology can help achieve this goal.
A panel discussion held at the Ajou University Tashkent on April 30 centered around the optimization of sustainable energies for Uzbekistan and was convened with distinguished speakers including Manuel Andresh, Head of Hydrogen Diplomacy Office Astana GIZ; Nadejda Khamrakulova, Economic Affairs Office of UNECE; Bekzod Asadov, Head of Department of Ministry of Energy of Uzbekistan; Zhanaider Toksaba, Senior Expert of Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan, Sanzhar Berdiyev, Head of Department of Agency for Innovative Development of Uzbekistan and Kail Padgitt, Economic Growth and Environment Office Director of USAID as part of the panel. The session was moderated by GIZ Program Manager Sergey Makarov.
The use of Green Hydrogen can have transformative potential that can help reach the sustainable development goals of Uzbekistan. Clean energy sources like solar energy along with the use of green hydrogen can substantially reduce carbon emissions and diversify clean energy sources for Uzbekistan. Notably, the climate foreign policy strategy also aims to explore technical, economic and political aspects of decarbonization in Uzbekistan with immense potential of employing green, renewable and sustainable energies in Uzbekistan to successfully administer sustainability goals.
Tokaba, a Senior expert at the Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan addressing the panel and guests emphasized on the cooperation in efforts to bring forth reforms for sustainable development, social protection and demographic policy. He also spotlighted that Kazakhstan having had one of the largest methane emissions in 2023 is the second country in Central Asia to join the global methane commitment with the aim to reduce methane emissions by 30% until 2030 reflecting on its dedication to combat climate change.
Additionally, Kazakhstan aims to further develop green hydrogen energy by 2040 by creating institutional frameworks for the development of green hydrogen energy, conducting scientific research to improve existing hydrogen technologies, implementing pilot projects, developing international cooperation and attracting foreign and domestic investment.
The discussion further delved into the deployment of green hydrogen technology to support several industries. The transition currently taking place in the energy sector serves as the foundation for broadening and implementing strategies for decarbonization. Diving deeper, green hydrogen deemed as the rediscovered energy carrier can be deployed to lower emissions in heavy industries particularly steel production and subsequent processing of steel products which is particularly relevant in Uzbekistan since the national steel production and processing industry of Uzbekistan ranks as one of the leading sectors receiving foreign capital. Moreover, the chemical industry and heavy duty transportation industry can also utilize green hydrogen energy to reduce their carbon emissions.
Uzbekistan has held long standing bilateral relations along with being a partner country with Germany actively engaging in initiatives such as the C5+1 meetings further strengthening cooperation with other nations. During the summit held with the leaders of Central Asian countries and the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany Olaf Scholz in Berlin in September 2023, president of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev had emphasized on the potential prospects for economic cooperation and trade between Germany and Uzbekistan.
In this regard, JSC Uzkimyosanoat along with the Ministry of Republic of Uzbekistan and German company Linde GmbH have commenced conducting a small pilot test on green hydrogen energy in Chirchik city in Uzbekistan with 20 megawatts of energy securing investment from Saudi Arabia for successful commencement of the pilot test. Uzbekistan is the first in the region to carry out such a pilot project and it is projected that the first green hydrogen energy will be generated by the end of the year. This energy can be beneficial for use in varied sectors along with use in the chemical industry thus helping in the reduction of carbon emissions from such industries.
Acknowledging the issues of water scarcity in the region and discussing feasibility of producing green hydrogen in Uzbekistan, Makarov, Program Manager at GIZ articulately shared his comments stating
“We at GIZ have a number of projects in pipeline specifically in integrated water management. We are supporting Central Asia and Uzbekistan in particular to better understand the risks of climate change and impacts of water usage. Water is present in this region but sometimes not accessible. It’s the same with energy, renewable energy sources are available but they’re not always available at the time and place you want. Hydrogen is not the source of energy, it’s the storage. Hydrogen can be produced using renewable energy sources hopefully near reservoirs or lakes that have abundant amount of water available. In order to not intervene in any ongoing projects that require the use of these water sources, we need to be aware of future plans. This is something that needs to be integrated into national planning, just as there are discussions about huge energy projects, proper location and planning should be part of such discussions to successfully implement setup for hydrogen production”
Uzbekistan aims to become a carbon neutral country by 2050, cooperation and collective efforts from the private sector will be of utmost importance in order to achieve this goal as articulated by Khamrakulova, Economics Affairs Officer of UNECE addressing the forum. Upon successful completion of the pilot test, installing hydrogen stations if deemed economically feasible can also help advance the carbon neutrality goal for Uzbekistan along with implementing green hydrogen energy in heavy duty vehicles as the next step forward.
Incorporating green hydrogen solutions is a pivotal shift in the industry. To tread on the successful path of using green hydrogen energy will require amplified regional cooperation, certification and standardization of the production of green hydrogen, educating and preparing workforce and labor making it a collaborative effort towards making this shift. In contrast, issues such as water scarcity and impacts on other areas will be vital to consider going forward.
By: Sabiha Samar
Comments (0)