Hydrogen Ukraine took part in a roundtable discussion organized by GIZ, the German-Ukrainian Chamber of Industry and Commerce (AHK), and the East-European Association for the Development of the Hydrogen Economy in Kyiv. The event focused on building complete value chains for green hydrogen — from production technologies to market integration, as well as on key issues that will determine the pace of Ukraine’s hydrogen economy development in the coming years.

The roundtable was also attended by the H2Diplo office, represented by Juliane Weymann, Head of Ukrainian office. The H2Diplo Ukraine Office was established in 2022 to support the development of hydrogen technologies in partner countries and to promote the interests of German manufacturers and investors. In Ukraine, the H2Diplo team works jointly with GIZ and AHK, helping to strengthen cooperation between the German and Ukrainian energy sectors and to create the necessary conditions for the launch of hydrogen projects.

During the discussion, German partners emphasized that Ukraine has significant export potential in green hydrogen and its derivatives; however, developing domestic consumption is critical for launching a full-scale market. The war has significantly affected the financial priorities of European economies, shifting the focus toward security issues, yet the interest in developing hydrogen technologies remains strong. Therefore, it is essential for Ukraine to begin implementing its Hydrogen Strategy and continue improving its legislative framework.

Special attention was given to the prospects of small-scale projects (1–5 MW), which could serve as a practical starting point for the market. Colleagues from Estonia shared their experience, where despite the high cost of hydrogen technologies grant programs and the presence of local consumers played a key role in launching the first business models.

Participants agreed that the future of hydrogen energy in Ukraine depends on the synergy between international support, a clear national policy, and the readiness of domestic businesses to become the first consumers of clean fuel.