The situation related to the launch of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline could be beneficial for Ukraine by developing the hydrogen energy, - said Oleksandr Riepkin

By developing the hydrogen energy Ukraine will be the key supplier of “green” hydrogen for Europe. Alternative energy could reduce dependence of Europe and Ukraine on the gas supplies from Russia.  This was stated during an interview with RBC-Ukraine by the the president of the Energy Association «Ukrainian Hydrogen Council» Oleksandr Riepkin. Currently, on behalf of the Prime Minister of Ukraine Denis Shmigal was enstablished an interdepartmental working group that developed the national hydrogen strategy.

"Recently, the President of Ukraune Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that the Nord Stream 2 is a weapon of Russia. History repeats itself, therefore democracies may face once again the gas blackmail from Russia. But today, in Ukraine has plan B that could be used not only for our country, but also for the EU. The head of state stated that Ukraine could switch to renewable energy sources but it should be set up the process of the production of "green" hydrogen,"- said Oleksandr Riepkin.

The expert notes the high potential for the development of renewable energy in Ukraine, as well as a significant amount of water resources - sufficient to meet all the needs of the EU for hydrigen. In addition, according to Oleksandr Riepkin, the Prime Minister of Ukraine Denis Shmigal also raises an issue of the development of hydrogen energy in Ukraine.

"The Energy Association «Ukrainian Hydrogen Council», which I chair, deals with the development of the national hydrogen strategy within the working group. By the way, at the recent meeting with the German Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel in Ukraine, the Prime Minister stressed that Ukraine has already submitted to the German side several pilot initiatives regarding the hydrogen and its transportation to Germany and the EU", said the president of the Energy Association «Ukrainian Hydrogen Council» Oleksandr Riepkin.

He noted that the issue of hydrogen energy is one of the priorities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine (Oleksandr Riepkin also works as an adviser to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba).

"I think that the the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine takes into account the international situation and reviews all scenarios, in particular the launch of the Nord Stream-2." Aware of the possible consequences for Ukraine and Europe, the Ministry takes a comprehensive approach to action planning in this case as well. In this context, the development of hydrogen energy is even more relevant. Therefore, the interest of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine for this topic is natural, in my opinion. I am glad that the Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba actively supports the development of hydrogen energy, he is passionate about this idea and understands the importance of the process” said Oleksandr Riepkin.

He stressed that Europe considers the potential in Ukraine: visa-free regime with the European Union has already been obtained within the framework of European integration; an integration plan into the European Energy System has been developed, and so on. In addition, Ukraine was included in the European Hydrogen Strategy, as a separate country due to the potential of renewable energy and a variety of ways of transporting hydrogen – gas transmission system, Danube, maritime transport.