Uzbekistan and USA Collaborate on Green Hydrogen Hub

A Green Hydrogen Hub will be established in Uzbekistan with support from the USA. The initiative, reported by the US embassy in the country, involves collaboration between the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Ministry of Energy of Uzbekistan, and energy sector stakeholders.

The Hub aims to train energy sector workers in clean energy technologies, aligning with Uzbekistan's Renewable and Hydrogen Energy Development Strategy. Discussions at a meeting led by Deputy Minister of Energy Umid Mamadaminov focused on priority directions and action stages for the Hydrogen Hub concept.

USAID expressed its commitment to supporting Central Asian countries in clean energy development, viewing it as both a goal and a necessity for a sustainable future. Edward Michalski, USAID's acting mission director in Uzbekistan, highlighted the importance of collective efforts to transition to cleaner and more efficient energy sources.

Earlier collaborations between USAID, the University of Delaware (USA), and Tashkent State Technical University aimed to integrate a curriculum on green hydrogen into the master's degree program at the latter.

The Green Hydrogen Hub concept evaluates various factors for successful implementation, including renewable energy potential, water availability, clean hydrogen production methods, and export potential. It also involves assessments such as site selection, facility design, logistics planning, market analysis, regulatory considerations, and environmental impacts.

These efforts are part of USAID's Energy in Central Asia regional energy project, a five-year initiative worth $39 million. The project focuses on enhancing energy sector efficiency, promoting clean energy development, and bolstering energy security through regional communication and cross-border energy trade. To date, USAID has invested $2.2 billion in clean energy and facilitated the installation of 2,241 megawatts of clean energy capacity across Central Asia.