China to Support Hydrogen Innovation Center in Kazakhstan

On March 20 in Beijing, Kazakhstan’s National Nuclear Center, part of the Ministry of Energy, signed a memorandum with China Energy Overseas Investment Co., Ltd. and Shanghai Jiao Tong University to establish a Scientific and Technical Innovation Center for Hydrogen Energy in Central Asia. The facility will be located in the city of Kurchatov, in Kazakhstan’s Abai Region, according to a statement from the Ministry of Energy. The future center is intended to serve as a key scientific and technological platform for research, testing, and the implementation of advanced hydrogen energy solutions. It aims to boost Kazakhstan’s competitiveness in the hydrogen sector, foster international cooperation in green energy, support innovative energy projects, and help train a new generation of highly qualified specialists. “Hydrogen energy is one of the key areas of the global energy transition,” said Deputy Minister of Energy, Bakytzhan Ilyas. “Kazakhstan has significant potential in this area, and the creation of the center in Kurchatov will open up new opportunities for the development of science, technology, and industry.” The initiative is also closely tied to Kazakhstan’s long-term climate goals. The center is expected to support the country’s strategy to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060 and to promote the adoption of environmentally friendly technologies in the energy sector. In September 2024, Kazakhstan approved its Concept for the Development of Hydrogen Energy until 2030. The policy outlines key objectives including: Fulfilling international commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions Advancing the national goal of carbon neutrality Expanding access to modern, sustainable energy sources While the strategy prioritizes hydrogen technologies as a cornerstone of Kazakhstan’s low-carbon transition, the global hydrogen sector remains in its early stages, and significant technical and economic hurdles must still be overcome.