Ukraine is one of the major potential green hydrogen supply regions outside of the EU27+UK
The European Hydrogen Backbone (EHB) initiative presented an analysis on future demand, supply, and transport of hydrogen across Europe. The study complements the recently published EHB maps, which showed a hydrogen pipeline network of nearly 40,000 km by 2040, connecting 19 EU Member States plus the United Kingdom and Switzerland.
Total investment cost would be between € 43bn and € 81bn ($ 52-98bn), the researchers estimate. Transport costs are estimated to be € 0.11-0.21/kg/1000 km, which the report describes as“ attractive and cost-effective, taking into account an estimated future production cost of € 1.00-2.00 per kg of hydrogen. ”
The European Commissioner for Energy, Ms Kadri Simson, noted that the phased approach of the analysis matches well with that of the EU Hydrogen Strategy, moving towards larger scale use of hydrogen post-2030.
“Only through developing a shared vision and goals for an EU hydrogen ecosystem, we can make sure that the EU will lead in building the hydrogen economy for a global clean energy transition” Ms Simson concluded.
The analysis defines that Ukraine, as well as North Africa are the major potential green hydrogen supply regions outside of the EU27+UK.
“We are excited to partner with the European Commission and leverage Ukraine's excellent natural resources to support decarbonisation of Europe through accelerating the export of green hydrogen from Ukraine to Europe”, commented President of the Energy Association “Ukrainian Hydrogen Council” Oleksandr Riepkin.
Under the discussed scheme, existing gas pipelines in Slovakia and the Czech Republic will serve as transit route for hydrogen from Ukraine and south-east Europe to Germany and the rest of the European Union bloc countries after 2035. Ukraine's plans would involve blue and green hydrogen.
By 2040, North Africa and Ukraine have the potential to produce and export more than 500 TWh of green hydrogen, at average production costs well below 2.0 €/kg. This includes 170 TWh of hydrogen from Ukrainian solar PV and wind.
The analysis also defines that the abundant natural resources and physical proximity drive the favourable economics of pipeline imports from neighbouring region such as Ukraine, making it attractive partner for future hydrogen trade. By 2040, with expected levelised costs of green hydrogen production of 1.0-2.0 €/kg for onshore wind and solar PV, producers in Ukraine and North Africa could benefit from a mature backbone at levelised transport costs of 0.2-0.5 €/kg.
The report can be found here: www.gasforclimate2050.eu/publications
The recording of the webinar regarding the presentation of the analysis is now available! The slides that were presented can be found here.
