Hydro-rich Tajikistan plans to produce 1 mln tons of hydrogen by 2040

Tajikistan, a nation endowed with abundant hydropower resources, has unveiled ambitious plans to manufacture one million metric tons of green hydrogen by 2040. This hydrogen production will serve both domestic needs and cater to exports to neighboring Central Asian countries. Daler Juma, the Minister of Energy and Water Resources of Tajikistan, shared this vision during his visit to Japan for a Tokyo energy transition event. Juma disclosed that Tajikistan aspired to achieve a renewable energy capacity of 10 gigawatts by 2030.

He emphasized the country's reliance on imported oil products and its imperative to reduce this dependence. In response, Tajikistan is charting a course to develop green hydrogen production, though specific financial details were not provided.

Currently, Tajikistan heavily relies on hydropower for nearly all its electricity generation, while the bulk of its oil products are imported from Russia. The International Energy Agency reports that Tajikistan harnesses only about 4% of its hydro potential.

Juma articulated the immediate goal of producing 500,000 tons of green hydrogen by 2030, with an ambition to double this output by 2040. The driving force behind this expansion is the availability of competitively priced electric power. Notably, a significant portion of this hydrogen, approximately 75%, is intended for export to Central Asian countries that continue to rely on fossil fuels.

Tajikistan's commitment to mitigating climate change, particularly in light of receding glaciers, includes a target of sourcing 10% of its electricity from non-hydropower sources like solar and wind by 2030. This diversification is aimed at ensuring a more resilient and sustainable energy mix.

In summary, Tajikistan's strategic focus on green hydrogen production and renewable energy capacity expansion underscores its determination to transform its energy landscape and contribute to a greener and more sustainable future for the region.