Hydrogen energy in Kazakhstan: prospects for development and potential

Abstract

Kazakhstan possesses significant natural resources, including coal, oil, natural gas, and uranium, and also has substantial potential for utilizing renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, hydropower, and biomass. However, the country currently relies heavily on fossil fuels for electricity generation. Coal-fired power plants account for 75% of the total electricity production, raising concerns about greenhouse gas emissions and their detrimental impact on human health and the environment. In December 2020, at the Climate Ambition Summit, the President of Kazakhstan announced a new goal for the country to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. To attain this objective, the government faces the ambitious task of developing a strategy for the development of hydrogen energy in Kazakhstan. This review extensively discusses Kazakhstan’s main energy resources, the potential for low-carbon and green hydrogen production, existing and prospective pilot projects in the field of hydrogen, as well as the challenges and barriers hindering the development of hydrogen energy in Kazakhstan. Authors consider existing research, national reports, energy strategies, and plans to discuss the prospects for hydrogen energy development in Kazakhstan. The transition to hydrogen energy in Kazakhstan requires the development of a comprehensive roadmap that takes into account various aspects such as production, infrastructure development, policy support, and international cooperation. Currently, the country lacks a roadmap for hydrogen energy development that considers these crucial aspects. Therefore, as a result of this review, we have developed a new roadmap for hydrogen production by 2040 in Kazakhstan, incorporating various technologies. Authors believe this roadmap will be valuable information for the government to develop a national strategy for the active development of hydrogen energy in Kazakhstan.