Turkmenistan Powers Ahead with Hydrogen Energy and Global Partnerships

Turkmenistan is making significant strides in developing hydrogen energy as part of its broader commitment to sustainable and environmentally friendly energy solutions.

Under the leadership of the Hero-Arkadag and the Esteemed President, the country has identified hydrogen energy as a strategic priority in its transition toward low-carbon fuels and climate resilience, The Caspian Post reports via Turkmen media.

A cornerstone of this initiative is the Hydrogen Energy Center, established at the Yagshygeldi Kakayev International University of Oil and Gas in Ashgabat. The center operates within the framework of the “Roadmap for the Development of International Cooperation in the Field of Hydrogen Energy of Turkmenistan for 2022-2023”, and has already achieved key milestones in scientific research and innovation.

Among the center’s notable accomplishments are the production of green hydrogen from water through electrolysis, and the development of a laboratory-scale installation for extracting hydrogen from natural gas using an innovative plasma-chemical process.

In an effort to promote international collaboration and technical exchange, Turkmenistan has partnered with several global leaders in the field. From 2022 to 2023, the country hosted expert seminars and consultations with specialists from Japan’s University of Tsukuba, Iwatani Corporation, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and Imperial College London. The Hydrogen Energy Center also offers regular training programs for professionals from state energy enterprises including Turkmengaz, Turkmennebit, and the Ministry of Energy.

Turkmenistan’s scientific diplomacy took a step further during a recent state visit to Japan, where a Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the University of Tsukuba. The agreement outlines plans for joint research projects and personnel training initiatives in the hydrogen sector during 2025-2026.

By investing in hydrogen technologies and strengthening global partnerships, Turkmenistan is positioning itself as a rising center for hydrogen energy research in Central Asia-supporting both its domestic energy transformation and global efforts to address climate change.