Recently, it was reported that the Kazakh government has signed a $50 billion agreement with the European renewable energy group Svevind to build one of the world’s top five green hydrogen production facilities in the Mangsto region. Office of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev Announced on October 27.

Hyrasia will separate hydrogen from water using electricity generated by solar panels and wind turbines. It aims to start production by 2030 and produce 2 million tonnes per year by 2032.

This is equivalent to one-fifth of the EU's 2030 green hydrogen import target - although transporting the gas from Kazakhstan to Europe will face logistical challenges.

Wolfgang Kropp, CEO of Svevind Energy Group, which is based in Sweden and second only to Europe's largest onshore wind farm, said the meteorological conditions and skills base in western Kazakhstan were ideal for the project. Operates in Germany.

“The Mangystau region of Kazakhstan offers very favorable natural resources. Wind conditions are very stable and strong, comparable to offshore wind parks near the coast, solar radiation is as strong as in southern Europe, vast steppe areas are not widely used and sparsely populated. ” he told Eurasia.com in an email.

“Due to its experience as an oil and gas exporter, Kazakhstan has a lot of expertise that will contribute to the realization of Hyrasia One.”

Production costs are also competitive, Kropp said.

Svevind subsidiary Hyrasia One explained in a statement that the project will use wind and photovoltaic power plants with a capacity of about 40 gigawatts and generate about 120 megawatt hours of renewable energy per year.

This energy will power a 20-gigawatt industrial park near the port of Kuryk on the coast of the Mangstori Sea, which will generate hydrogen through water electrolysis. When hydrogen burns, only water vapor is released.

The company noted that the project could "supply hydrogen on an industrial scale." Hyrasia One could be "the current supporting pillar of the hydrogen market in Europe, Kazakhstan itself and Asian countries".

In response to emailed inquiries, the company said it had not yet made a decision on the export destination and route.

Pipeline transportation is the most cost-effective, but existing natural gas pipelines must be reused or the hydrogen will be mixed into the natural gas. Transport by rail or ship is already feasible.

The shrinking Caspian Sea will be the source of water for hydrogen production. Hyrasia One could not specify how much water it needs, but will keep "water withdrawals as low as possible" because the ocean "must be used sustainably to protect the environment".

The plant will create 3,500 jobs during construction and 1,800 permanent jobs.

The company will provide initial financing and is seeking long-term investors to build the project at a cost of $40 billion to $50 billion.

Source: Sinopec News