▲Status of hydrogen economy initiatives in major countries presented at IPHE (Image source: Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy)


Introduction to the implementation status of the 'First Basic Plan for Hydrogen Economy Implementation' and other measures.
We will strive to build a clean hydrogen economy ecosystem both domestically and internationally.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy explained to major countries, including the United States and Japan, its plans to build a domestic hydrogen ecosystem and its efforts to innovate regulations, including regulatory sandboxes, and emphasized that it will not fall behind in the competition among countries to take the lead in the era of energy transition.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy participated in the 37th International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells (IPHE) General Assembly held for two days on the 26th and 27th and shared hydrogen economy policies.

At this general meeting, IPHE member countries, including Korea, shared their newly implemented hydrogen economy policies since the last general meeting (last November) and the progress of tasks of IPHE's working groups. Considering the COVID-19 situation, the meeting was held via video conference.

At a discussion on the current status of hydrogen policies in each country, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy introduced the contents of the 'First Basic Plan for Hydrogen Economy Implementation' announced in November of last year and explained Korea's plan to build a full-cycle ecosystem from hydrogen production to transportation, storage, and utilization.

Also, the contents of the 'Hydrogen Act Safety Management Sector', such as the manufacturing permit/registration system and safety inspection for hydrogen production facilities, fuel cells, etc., which were implemented in February 2022.The government announced its regulatory innovation efforts through the 'Hydrogen-related Regulatory Sandbox', which introduces hydrogen aviation mobility and low-cost hydrogen tube trailer rental businesses.

In addition, the current status of the domestic hydrogen economy was shared by presenting the case of establishing a hydrogen charging station utilizing biogas, along with the recently launched demonstration of mass production of green hydrogen and the operation of hydrogen forklifts.

Major countries, including the United States, China, Japan, and the United Kingdom, have announced the current status of their hydrogen economy policies, which they are pursuing to strengthen their energy security.

The United States explained that it secured approximately $9.5 billion (approximately 11.8 trillion won) in funding for the hydrogen sector through the passage of a bipartisan infrastructure investment bill, while China explained the contents of its recently announced mid- to long-term plan for developing the hydrogen energy industry.

Japan announced that it had completed the world's first demonstration of liquid hydrogen transportation, and the UK and Germany announced plans to double their low-carbon hydrogen production targets by 2030 (from 5 GW to 10 GW).

France announced plans to invest an additional €1.9 billion (KRW 2.5 trillion) in the hydrogen sector as part of its "France 2030" investment roadmap for innovation and fostering the industrial sector, and the UAE became the first Middle Eastern country to join the IPHE, joining international cooperation to expand the hydrogen economy.

An official from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said at the meeting, “In response to the global energy market crisis, each country is seeking to expand energy independence through the hydrogen economy,” and “We will work to build a domestic and international clean hydrogen economy ecosystem so that we do not fall behind in the competition among countries to take the lead in the energy transition era.”

IPHE was launched in 2003 with the aim of establishing effective implementation plans for international cooperation for the early implementation of a hydrogen economy, an eco-friendly and high-efficiency energy society. It is engaged in activities such as establishing a multilateral research, demonstration, and commercialization cooperation system, and holding forums for policy development and standardization, and 23 countries including Korea, the United States, France, and the United Kingdom are participating as member countries.