Under the background of energy transformation, the development prospect of hydrogen energy industry is very broad. Recently, it was reported that the government of Kazakhstan has signed a US $50 billion deal with European renewable energy group Svevind to build one of the world's top five green hydrogen production facilities in the Mangesto region, the office of the president of Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced on October 27.

Hyrasia will use electricity generated by solar panels and wind turbines to separate hydrogen from water. It aims to start production by 2030 and produce two million tonnes a year by 2032. That is equivalent to a fifth of the EU's 2030 target for green hydrogen imports - although transporting gas from Kazakhstan to Europe will be a logistical challenge.

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

"The Mangystau region of Kazakhstan offers very advantageous natural resources. Wind conditions are very stable and strong, comparable to near-shore offshore wind parks, solar radiation is as strong as in southern Europe, vast steppe areas are not widely used and sparsely populated." "He said in an email.

"Because of its experience as an oil and gas exporter, Kazakhstan has a lot of expertise that will help realize Hyrasia One." Svevind subsidiary Hyrasia One explained in a statement that the project will use wind and photovoltaic power stations with a capacity of about 40 gigawatts, generating about 120 megawatt hours of renewable energy per year. This energy will power an industrial park with a capacity of 20 gigawatts near Kuryk Port on the coast of the Mangostori Sea, which will generate hydrogen by hydro-electrolysis. When hydrogen gas burns, it releases only water vapor.

The company noted that the project could "supply hydrogen on an industrial scale." Hyrasia One could be "a pillar of support for the current hydrogen market in Europe, Kazakhstan itself and Asian countries." In response to an emailed query, the company said no decisions have been made on export destinations and routes. Pipeline transportation is the most cost-effective, but existing gas lines must be reused or hydrogen will mix with the gas. Transport by rail or ship is already possible. The shrinking Caspian Sea will become a source of hydrogen production. Hyrasia One could not specify how much water it needed, but would keep "water extraction 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 $40bn - $50bn. Editor/Xu Shengpeng