German developer Svevind Energy has signed a memorandum of understanding with Kazakh Invest National Company with the aim of developing 45GW of wind and solar to feed green hydrogen production in Kazakhstan.

The projects would be built mainly in the steppe areas in Western and Central Kazakhstan for 30GW of electrolysers to produce about 3 million tonnes of green hydrogen a year.

Svevind said the green hydrogen would either be exported directly to Eurasian markets or used locally to produce green products, such as ammonia, steel or aluminium.

The overall development, engineering, procurement and financing phases are expected to take about three to five years.

Construction and commissioning phases are predicted to take approximately five years, the company said.

Kazakh Invest is a national investment promotion agency of Kazakhstan.

Kazakh Invest board chair Meirzhan Yussupov said: “Hydrogen energy is very productive, technological and efficient to use. This energy resource can be used in transport, everyday life, energy and the railway industry.

“All of this contributes to the advancement of low-carbon development.

“The promotion of low-carbon development is in line with the strategic direction of development of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the obligations undertaken in the framework of international agreements.

“Through the development of hydrogen energy, Kazakhstan can get its niche in the world supply of hydrogen.”

Svevind majority owner and chief executive Wolfgang Kropp said: “Svevind aims to combine the outstanding natural resources in Kazakhstan with Svevind’s long-time experience and passion in project development to supply Kazakhstan and Eurasia with green, sustainable energy and products, ‘powered by nature’.

“The green hydrogen facilities will lift Kazakhstan among the global leaders of renewable energy and hydrogen at very competitive, ultra-low production costs. We trust that for green hydrogen, Kazakhstan is the place to be.”