Russia is gearing up to export hydrogen from its Far East region as early as 2026. The ambitious plan, revealed by Denis Deryushkin, the head of the Russian National Hydrogen Union (NHU), highlights China and South Korea as promising destinations for this vital export. This development, announced at the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF), signifies Russia’s commitment to becoming a significant player in the burgeoning hydrogen economy.
Hydrogen Export Hub in the Far East
Russia’s entry into the hydrogen export arena is anchored in the Rusatom Overseas project located in Sakhalin, in the country’s Far East. According to Deryushkin, the project is poised to commence hydrogen production in 2026, with an initial output of 35,000 tons earmarked for export markets. This signals a significant step towards establishing the Far East as a hydrogen export hub, making Russia a key player in the global hydrogen supply chain.
Promising Supply Directions: China and South Korea
As Russia prepares to become a hydrogen exporter, its focus is firmly set on Asia, with China and South Korea emerging as prominent supply directions. These nations, with their rapidly growing economies and increasing emphasis on clean energy, present a compelling opportunity for Russia to export its hydrogen resources. The potential synergy between Russia’s vast hydrogen production capacity and Asia’s rising demand for clean energy aligns with the global transition towards sustainable fuels.
The Eastern Economic Forum: A Platform for Progress
This exciting announcement was made at the 8th Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) held in Vladivostok. The EEF, which took place from September 10 to September 13, 2023, featured the theme “On the Path to Partnership, Peace, and Prosperity.” Organized by the Roscongress Foundation and supported by TASS as the EEF’s general information partner, this event provided a fitting backdrop for Russia’s vision of hydrogen export.
Global Implications
Russia’s foray into hydrogen exports holds several global implications. It underscores the growing recognition of hydrogen as a crucial component of the world’s clean energy future. Additionally, Russia’s significant hydrogen production capacity, largely powered by abundant natural gas resources, positions the country as a pivotal player in meeting the rising demand for hydrogen across industries such as transportation, manufacturing, and power generation.
RusHydro’s Novikovo Wind Diesel Complex to Pave the Way for Hydrogen Tech
RusHydro, in collaboration with the Government of the Sakhalin Region and the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, has signed an agreement during the Eastern Economic Forum to modernize the Novikovo Wind Diesel Complex (VDK) in the Sakhalin Region. This strategic move positions the Novikovo site as a testing ground for technical solutions for RusHydro’s pilot Eastern hydrogen cluster project. The VDK’s modernization will include the installation of a hydrogen energy storage system and the development of an automatic control system using domestically produced components. The goal is to efficiently utilize surplus electricity generated by wind turbines, especially during low consumption periods, by employing various types of energy storage devices, including hydrogen energy storage. This stored hydrogen will then be used to reduce diesel fuel consumption during peak hours. The project aims to synchronize energy storage systems with a diesel power plant and serve as a basis for similar initiatives in the Far East.
