Germany Shares Green Hydrogen Knowledge with Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan and Germany Collaborate to Unlock Green Hydrogen Potential
ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Germany joined forces at the German Training Week – Green Hydrogen, which began on April 22 in Astana. This strategic initiative aims to unleash Kazakhstan’s potential as a future hub for green hydrogen production.
The training week is part of the Project Development Program for Green Hydrogen Projects, coordinated by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). It falls under the German Energy Solutions Initiative of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action.
More than 25 representatives from Kazakhstan’s chemical industry, fertilizer industry, industrial associations, finance, and regulatory bodies participated in the training week to enhance their knowledge of green hydrogen technologies and market opportunities.
Kazakh Vice Minister of Energy Bakytzhan Ilyas emphasized the essential role of green hydrogen in transitioning to a sustainable energy future. He stated, “Kazakhstan regards green hydrogen as a strategic element of decarbonization and for the diversification of sustainable development of the economy. In the context of climate challenges, the development of green hydrogen becomes not only relevant but also strategically necessary.”
With Kazakhstan’s renewable energy potential, strategic location, and industrial base, the country is well-positioned to engage in pilot projects, infrastructure development, and policy discussions related to green hydrogen. Despite challenges, targeted investments and collaborations could elevate Kazakhstan as a key player in the green hydrogen economy.
German Ambassador to Kazakhstan Monika Iwersen highlighted the significance of green hydrogen in the global shift towards sustainable energy. She pointed out, “We are all witnessing a global transformation today towards a more sustainable energy future. Green hydrogen plays a key role in this transformation. It offers the unique opportunity to store and transport renewable energy and to use it in a wide range of sectors: from industry to transportation to heat supply, in order to make them climate neutral.”
Hydrogen can play a crucial role in Kazakhstan’s journey towards decarbonization. Iwersen added, “At the same time, Kazakhstan has immense potential in the field of renewable energies, particularly solar and wind energy, and this creates excellent conditions for becoming a major producer of green hydrogen.”
Manuel Andresh, head of the Hydrogen Diplomacy Office in Astana, reiterated Germany’s support for Kazakhstan’s endeavors in the green hydrogen sector. He stated, “With the German Training Week – Green Hydrogen, we aim to support Kazakh enterprises to benefit from the expertise of German solution providers in developing and applying green hydrogen technologies. The training week also provides a platform for technology and know-how transfer as well as facilitating business partnerships between companies from Germany and Kazakhstan.”
