Kazakhstan drafts hydrogen energy concept to 2040

ASTANA. April 25 (Interfax) - Kazakhstan's government has drafted a concept for hydrogen energy development to 2040 which envisages the use of hydrogen to generate electricity and fuel vehicles.

"A pilot project will be implemented to create hydrogen vehicles, primarily buses and trucks, and rail transport with its further introduction in large cities in order to reduce the environmental impact," the document published on the Open Legal Regulations website for public discussion until May 13 says.

The infrastructure for hydrogen transport, filling stations, experimental sites for the production and use of hydrogen as an energy storage device in local energy systems with its subsequent use for generating electricity will also be developed.

Kazakhstan plans pilot projects for the use of hydrogen in housing and communal services, if its safety and economic feasibility is confirmed.

The country also plans to produce low-carbon hydrogen at export-oriented industrial enterprises that use hydrogen in the production process.

The government intends to use state support measures to encourage investment in the development of hydrogen energy.