Russia plans to develop three hydrogen production clusters over the next 3.5 years intended to supply Europe, Asia and the Russian domestic market, according to plans approved by the country’s cabinet this week.

A northwestern cluster would export hydrogen to Europe while an eastern cluster would supply Asian markets and focus on the development of hydrogen infrastructure in transport and energy. An Arctic cluster would be aimed at low-carbon power supply for the domestic market.

“The first stage envisions the creation of relevant clusters and the implementation of pilot projects on production and export of hydrogen” Mishustin, Russian prime minister

"The government has drafted a concept for development of hydrogen energy. It defines the targets, strategic initiatives and key measures on the creation of the sector in the country,” Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin told a meeting with deputy ministers, according to the state-owned Tass news agency.

“The plan is to implement it in stages. The first is expected to take the next 3.5 years and envisages the creation of relevant clusters and the implementation of pilot projects on production and export of hydrogen, as well as the use of hydrogen energy sources on the domestic market," he says.

Strategic initiatives would also include the formation of infrastructure for storage and transportation of hydrogen. But he gave no details of the type of hydrogen on which the strategy would focus.

Risks of energy transition

In a reference to the potential impact on Russia of a future decline in oil and gas exports as the world pivots away from fossil fuels, Mishustin said the development of hydrogen would “mitigate the risks of losing energy markets and support economic growth”.

Russian oil producer Gazprom Neft said last week it plans to more than double its production of hydrogen by 2024. The firm currently produces 100,000t/yr of hydrogen and hopes to raise this volume to 250,000t/yr by 2024.

Gazprom Neft has joined Russian analytical advisory body the Council of Industrial Partners—part of Technological Hydrogen Valley, a consortium formed by educational and scientific institutions—in order to share knowledge and expertise.

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Author: Stuart Penson