The government will inspect facilities in China, the world’s largest hydrogen market, to effectively support a roughly 9 trillion won hydrogen investment agreement in Saemangeum.
A delegation led by Land, Infrastructure and Transport Minister Kim Yun-duk will visit companies in China for three days from June 8 to 10, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) said Saturday. The delegation will examine the status of full-cycle infrastructure development covering hydrogen production, transport, storage and utilization, as well as policy trends.
The visit was arranged to support the implementation of the roughly 9 trillion won Saemangeum investment agreement signed in February between the government and Hyundai Motor Group. The delegation will seek administrative and financial support measures to ensure the prompt implementation of the solar-based water electrolysis plant and the artificial intelligence (AI) hydrogen city that Hyundai Motor Group is pursuing.
Green hydrogen to be produced at the Saemangeum water electrolysis facility will be supplied within the region through pipeline networks or tube trailers. It is planned for use across hydrogen refueling stations, port and logistics equipment, and hydrogen mobility overall.
China has designated five hydrogen pilot city clusters to develop its value chain. With large-scale production facilities utilizing abundant renewable energy, the country is regarded as the world’s largest hydrogen producer and consumer.
On June 8, the delegation will begin its schedule at Beijing’s “Daxing International Hydrogen Energy Demonstration Zone.” It will visit a leading hydrogen fuel cell company to assess the durability of stacks, a core device, and the level of technology localization. The delegation will also visit a company operating a world-scale hydrogen refueling station to inspect its intelligent platform-based safety management system.
On June 9, the delegation will visit one of the world’s largest green hydrogen production bases in Inner Mongolia. It will examine the stable integrated operation of water electrolysis facilities utilizing wind and solar power, as well as cases of hydrogen supply infrastructure development.
“It is important to build stable hydrogen supply infrastructure in Saemangeum and to establish policies that accurately reflect corporate demand,” Land Minister Kim Yun-duk stressed. “Based on the insights gained from China’s leading cases, we will do our best to ensure the investment is implemented swiftly by mobilizing all available support measures,” he said.
