Ukraine

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GH2 Country Portal – Ukraine

Green Hydrogen Vision

Ukraine’s green hydrogen vision centers on leveraging its vast renewable energy potential, particularly from wind and solar, to become a key player in Europe’s clean energy transition. Positioned strategically between the EU and key global markets, Ukraine aims to produce and export green hydrogen, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and contributing to decarbonization goals. By investing in modern infrastructure and fostering international partnerships, the country seeks to turn its renewable resources into a sustainable economic driver, reinforcing energy security and advancing its integration into Europe’s green energy network. 

National Strategy

Ukraine's draft Hydrogen Strategy focuses on establishing green hydrogen as a core element of its new energy system to support decarbonization. It outlines short-term (2022–2025), medium-term (2026–2030), and long-term (2031–2050) goals, emphasizing the transition from fossil-based hydrogen to green hydrogen produced using renewable energy sources. 

Key strategic directions include: 

  • Green hydrogen production, transportation, and storage. 

  • Developing a regulatory framework and investment conditions. 

  • Exporting hydrogen, particularly to the EU. 

Capacity Targets

  • Short-term (2022–2025): Laying the groundwork for hydrogen energy with the initial export market for green hydrogen. A capacity target of 10 GW by 2030 is aligned with the EU’s Green Hydrogen Initiative. 

  • Medium-term (2026–2030): Expand hydrogen production to 12–15 GW to meet growing domestic and export demands. 

  • Long-term (2031–2050): Transitioning fully to green hydrogen, utilizing up to 50% of the existing capacity, with significant infrastructure developments for pure hydrogen distribution. 

Impact Targets

Environmental Benefits:  

  • Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. 
  • Improved air quality and public health. 
  • Decarbonisation of key sectors such as industry, transport, and energy. 

Economic Growth:  

  • Creation of new jobs in green energy sectors. 
  • Increased GDP from green energy integration (4–6% by 2030 and 12–15% by 2050). 
  • Potential to become a leading exporter to the EU, with the capability to meet a significant share of its hydrogen demand. 

Energy Security:  

  • Independence from fossil fuels. 
  • Improved flexibility in the energy system through renewable hydrogen storage and use. 

Policy and Project Spotlight

1. The Ukrainian government, in August 2024, endorsed an ambitious National Renewable Energy Action Plan for 2030, which details a significant uptick in renewable energy capacity (excluding occupied territories):   

  • Solar: An increase from 7,327 MW to 12,200 MW (comprising 7,200 MW from large producers and 5,000 MW from prosumers).   

  • Onshore wind: A rise from 512 MW to 6,214 MW.   

  • Offshore wind: The introduction of 100 MW from a previous baseline of 0 MW.   

  • Bioenergy (biomass and biogas): Expansion from 319 MW to 876 MW.   

  • Geothermal: The addition of up to 40 MW, a resource yet to be utilized.   

This ambitious growth in renewable sources requires balancing facilities, including high-flexibility generation (likely gas peakers) up to 906 MW and energy storage up to 656 MW.   

The plan also anticipates growth in renewable gas production:   

  • Biomethane: Up to 21.8 billion cubic meters annually.   

  • Green Hydrogen: Up to 44,957 thousand tons annually. 

2. In 2024, as part of the H2U Hydrogen Valley initiative, Ukraine’s Hydrogen LLC secured a grant the British Foreign Office co-funded to establish a green hydrogen production facility. The project will construct a hydrogen plant in Reni in the southern Odesa region. This site was selected mainly because of its proximity to a seaport, which aids transportation via the Black Sea and the Danube to Central European nations.

The plan includes building a 120 MW solar power plant, an 80 MW wind power plant, and a 100 MW electrolysis facility. The initial production target is between 7,000 and 8,000 tonnes of hydrogen annually, translating to 400-750 tonnes per month. Producing each cubic metre of hydrogen necessitates 1.5 to 2 litres of water and 4.5 kWh of electricity. This is the sole hydrogen-related project in Ukraine and is in the initial rollout phase. 

Financing

  • Emphasis on private investments and public-private partnerships. 

  • No direct government subsidies; instead, focus on creating favorable regulatory conditions. 

  • Expected alignment with EU initiatives, including the European Green Deal and international partnerships (e.g., Germany). 

  • Massive investment needs for infrastructure, including gas pipeline retrofitting and new hydrogen storage and transportation systems. 

Government Green Hydrogen Lead

Ministry of Energy