The World Hydrogen Summit 2023

The World Hydrogen Summit 2023 was held in Rotterdam, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, from May 8 to 13. This event is considered a landmark among hydrogen specialists. There were over 11,500 participants from more than 100 countries. Among them were high-ranking officials, decision-makers, energy ministers and CEOs, as well as famous hydrogen specialists, researchers, experts.

They tried to inspire others, too, by presenting the work they are doing on hydrogen projects, demonstrating the possibilities of hydrogen in the world at this summit as a global springboard. Also participating were 350 companies. International organizations UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organization), the leaders of the Hydrogen Council, who do all the expertise on hydrogen, participated.

Our colleague Saule Zholdayakova, following a proposal by the Embassy of the Netherlands in Kazakhstan, passed a special selection, shoulder to shoulder with the world experts and at the invitation of the Government of the Netherlands participated in this important summit in the world of hydrogen as a member of a special delegation. Thus, for the first time Kazakhstan took part in this significant hydrogen summit.

This hydrogen event was filled with historic events.

To ensure energy security, European countries are introducing various investment and subsidy programs to develop the hydrogen industry. At the #WorldHydrogen2023 award ceremony, the “Hydrogen Man of the Year” was presented to the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. She heads the Clean Hydrogen Alliance of the European Union (EU), the EU Hydrogen Strategy, Repower EU, the European Green Deal, the Hydrogen Valley Tender and other hydrogen programs.

Saudi Arabian Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman signed the “Memorandum of Cooperation between Saudi Arabia and the Netherlands on the Development of Green Energy and Hydrogen. The Netherlands has stated that hydrogen from renewable energy sources will be the main transportation route from Saudi Arabia to Europe.

Thus, Middle Eastern countries are also focused on production, exporting hydrogen.  African countries are attracting investments from European countries. He also noted the place of hydrogen on the way of “industrialization” of the domestic market. Naturally, the question arises as to how efficient hydrogen production is for countries with limited water resources. To this end, water management, new technologies, and ways to clean contaminated water can be considered, experts say.

Ammonia, methanol, LCOH, and liquid hydrogen are used to transport hydrogen in production. Ways to use hydrogen have been presented in their projects by such major oil companies as Air Liquid, Shell, BP, Chevron. To determine the way of financial incentives, the European organization created the hydrogen bank.

Green hydrogen is a global opportunity, and it was concluded that the benefits should be based on common joint solutions.

At the exhibition there was an opportunity to see hydrogen stations, fuel cell cars. Specially invited members of the delegation had a technical tour of the port of Rotterdam. From the largest port in Europe, all export and import products pass through. And there will be a hydrogen hub.

Hydrogen is the future; hydrogen is not tomorrow. It is happening now. Kazakhstan also needs to find its place in this field. Of course, there are plenty of questions that still need to be solved. However, intense changes are taking place in the world. As the saying goes, “People who have art and education ride on hydrogen”, this is a new direction for us, which we will achieve by mastering a new industry, training, and supporting knowledge and science.

Participation in such an event is important in order to show the world that we are there, to introduce the work of the only department in the country that deals with hydrogen, to show internationally our interest and our capabilities, that in Kazakhstan, too, know about hydrogen. In the future there will be an opportunity to present our projects at the summit.

Thank you to the Embassy of the Netherlands and to KMGE for this opportunity.

Share post: