QAZAQ GREEN. Green hydrogen — produced through the electrolysis of water using renewable energy — is emerging as a key component in the global strategy for decarbonisation. Unlike grey or blue hydrogen, its production generates no carbon emissions.

Hydrogen can be used in fuel cells, industry, transport, and power generation as a low-carbon alternative to fossil fuels. However, the technology remains costly due to the high price of electrolysers and the underdeveloped infrastructure for storage and transport. Still, analysts expect that with greater investment and scale, costs will fall significantly in the coming years.

The production, storage, and distribution of hydrogen are subject to strict safety standards and are considered technologically mature. Today’s systems enable the safe use of hydrogen in both industrial and domestic settings.

According to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Energy, the development of hydrogen technologies represents a strategic opportunity to diversify the national economy, achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, and integrate into global clean energy supply chains. The country is already involved in international initiatives, including hydrogen and ammonia export projects to Europe — such as Hyrasia One and the German-Kazakh Hydrogen Dialogue.

While green hydrogen will not replace all energy sources, it can play a vital role in decarbonising heavy industry, long-distance freight transport, and in storing surplus energy from renewables. The International Energy Agency estimates that by 2050, hydrogen could account for 10–15% of global energy demand — and up to 25% in sectors such as steelmaking and heavy transport.

Hydrogen development does not exclude nuclear energy — in fact, the two are complementary. Nuclear power provides consistent baseload electricity, while green hydrogen enables flexible storage, clean fuel options, and new export opportunities in a low-carbon economy.