Olena Galushko (pictured), Owner & CEO at the ARLEN Consulting LLC in Dnepro, Ukraine, Deputy’s Adviser in the Parliament of Ukraine, and Member the Committee of Green Services Providers at Dnepro Chamber of Commerce and Industry, accepted an interview with MIRUPLUS recently. She expected the potential hydrogen energy business in Ukraine could expand.
MIRUPLUS (MP)
What is the current status of renewable energy in Ukraine?
Galushko
In 2020, despite the pandemic, Ukraine attracted more than € 1.24 billion investments in green energy. € 1.2 billion has been invested in 1.6 GW of new renewable energy capacity, mainly in solar power plants (1.17 GW). Total renewable energy capacity is about 8.5 GW (according to the data of State Agency for Energy Efficiency of Ukraine).
The energy expert says that Ukraine has the second potential of renewable energy country in Europe. Kherson, Odessa, Mykolaiv, Zaporizhia regions are able to meet half of the needs of European Union (EU) countries in electricity.
Market players are currently stressed with green tariffs policy, and Ukrainian government is looking for reasonable balance which corresponds to interests of society and investors, as it was achieved in Spain and other countries.
MP
The trend of decarbonization is spreading worldwide now. What is the stance on hydrogen energy development in Ukraine?
Galushko
The European Commission identifies Ukraine as a priority partner for the development of hydrogen energy, from the point of available natural resources, interconnected infrastructure and technological developments.
According to EU’s hydrogen strategy, Ukraine has the potential to install about 10 GW of green hydrogen production capacity, which allows attract up to € 20 billion in the development of the industry (according to Ukraine Invest State Agency data).
MP
Are there any concrete projects in hydrogen energy development?
Galushko
The European Commission estimates that the total amount of hydrogen investment by 2030 will be € 430 billion, and it is planned to spend € 220 billion on hydrogen production, € 160 billion of which will be used to generate hydrogen from electricity of solar and wind power plants.
The Ministry of Energy of Ukraine is currently considering the possibility of building the first hydrogen production plant in Ukraine.
And for Ukraine it’s not only a matter of green strategy but also a question of energy defense and using the gas transmission network, which might be underused due to Nord Stream 2’s launching.
Energy experts note that Ukraine’s gas transmission network is able to transport a gas mixture with a content of up to 25% hydrogen but requires modernization as was built during USSR era.
MP
Do you see the potential of collaboration with Japanese companies in Ukrainian hydrogen industry development?
Galushko
On my opinion Ukraine and Japan could become strategic partners in energy sector including renewable energy and energy defense, as our countries both surfaced with dramatic accidents at the Chernobyl and Fukushima nuclear plants. Japanese corporations have investment potential for hydrogen energy projects, which could be realized as public-private partnership. Also Japanese corporations are known by perfect operation and quality management, which could give great experience to Ukrainian participants. From our side, ARLEN Consulting LLC is ready to promote and support such collaboration.
◆Arlen Consulting LLC
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Naoya Abe
Former Bloomberg News reporter and editor
Capitol Intelligence Group (Washington D.C.) Tokyo bureau chief
Currently working as Managing editor of the news site MIRUPLUS
