With the first 10MW-class large-scale green hydrogen production in Korea demonstrated, the development of related industries and market development, such as securing electrolysis design technology, are expected in the future.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (Minister Lee Chang-yang) and Jeju Special Self-Governing Province (Governor Oh Young-hoon) held a commemorative event on the 29th at the Jeju Carbon Free Island (CFI) Future Hall to commemorate the launch of Korea's first large-scale green hydrogen demonstration project of 10MW or more and the announcement of the 'Jeju Green Hydrogen Global Hub Construction Plan.'

Since 2017, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy has been gradually expanding green hydrogen production demonstration projects, starting with 260kW (Jeju), followed by 1MW (Ulsan), 2MW (Naju), and 3MW (Jeju).

The 12.5MW demonstration project, the launch of which was announced through this event, is a project that utilizes the characteristics of the Jeju power grid, which has a high proportion of renewable energy, to conduct hydrogen production demonstrations using all four types of existing water electrolysis systems (alkaline (AEC), polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM), solid oxide electrolysis (SOEC), and anion exchange membrane (AEM)).

The goal is to produce 1,176 tons of hydrogen per year at a 60% operating rate, and the hydrogen produced will be supplied to approximately 200 Jeju City garbage trucks and 300 city and intercity buses scheduled to be converted to hydrogen-based vehicles through an on-site charging station linked to the production complex.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the global water electrolysis capacity is expected to reach 850 GW by 2030 and 850 GW by 2050 due to the increasing demand for clean hydrogen to achieve carbon neutrality. The related market is expected to grow significantly, expanding to 3,600 GW.

This large-scale demonstration project is expected to contribute to securing Korean-style green hydrogen production technology and electrolysis design technology, as well as domestically producing equipment and materials. It is also expected to be a significant turning point in fostering the electrolysis-related industry as a new export industry.

Additionally, at this event, Jeju Island announced the 'Jeju Green Hydrogen Global Hub Construction Plan' and presented its vision for Jeju Island to become a global green hydrogen hub as a leading metropolitan autonomous province for green hydrogen in pursuit of carbon neutrality.

The plan aims to build a Jeju-style green hydrogen ecosystem and establish a global hub by reflecting Jeju Island's characteristics and realities based on the "Basic Plan for Hydrogen Economy Implementation" established in November 2022 under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

Jeju Governor Oh Young-hoon, who attended the event that day, emphasized in his welcoming speech, “Jeju will be the first to achieve the government’s renewable energy target of 21.5% by 2030, and based on this, we will build a global green hydrogen hub.” He added, “We will take the lead in the national hydrogen economy not only by converting mobility, power plants, and base-load nuclear power plants to hydrogen, but also by building hydrogen ports and importing and exporting hydrogen.”

In his congratulatory remarks, Second Vice Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Park Il-joon said, “This first large-scale green hydrogen demonstration project in Korea will serve as an important foundation for the electrolysis-related industry to grow into a new export industry.” He added, “The central government will also show interest and provide support for the smooth implementation of the Jeju Green Hydrogen Global Hub construction plan.”