Government Begins Selection of Dedicated Agency for Promotion, Distribution, and Safety of Hydrogen Industry

"To Ensure Smooth Implementation of the Hydrogen Act... Selection of the Nation's Top Specialized Institution"

President Moon Jae-in is seen touring the hydrogen utilization exhibition before attending the event "Hydrogen Economy and Future Energy, Starting in Ulsan" held at the Ulsan City Hall main conference room on the morning of the 17th. President Moon is asking Kim Se-hoon, Head of Fuel Cell Business at Hyundai Motor Company (right), about fuel cells at the hydrogen mobility (hydrogen cars, drones, etc.) booth. From the left are Sung Yun-mo, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy; Chung Eui-sun, Vice Chairman of Hyundai Motor Company; Choi Chang-won, Vice Chairman of SK Gas; and second from the right is Song Cheol-ho, Mayor of Ulsan Metropolitan City. (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The government has begun the selection process for dedicated organizations responsible for hydrogen industry promotion, hydrogen distribution, and hydrogen safety to ensure the smooth implementation of the world's first enacted "Hydrogen Act." The law, designated on February 4, will take effect on February 5 next year, with the safety sector starting from February 5, 2022.

The dedicated organization for hydrogen industry promotion plans to efficiently and systematically carry out projects necessary for the implementation of the hydrogen economy in accordance with Article 33 of the law. It will support and promote various projects such as workforce development and research and development to strengthen the competitiveness of the hydrogen industry.

Through workforce development, standardization, research and development, market expansion for hydrogen-specialized companies, technical consulting, and international cooperation, the hydrogen industry will be advanced.

The dedicated organization for distribution, pursuant to Article 34 of the law, will support and promote the establishment of a hydrogen distribution system, transactions, and maintenance of appropriate prices to revitalize the hydrogen economy. It will manage hydrogen supply and demand, conduct inspections and guidance to establish distribution order, and collect and provide information on hydrogen charging stations.

The dedicated organization for safety, according to Article 35 of the law, will support and promote safety standards investigation for hydrogen products and hydrogen fuel usage facilities, safety education and publicity, and accident prevention technical support to ensure hydrogen safety.

Safety will be strengthened through hydrogen safety standards investigation, research and development, education and publicity, as well as accident prevention technology development and technical support.

According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, local governments and public institutions have shown great interest in the dedicated hydrogen economy organizations.

The Ministry plans to select the best specialized domestic institutions through a public contest conducted by the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology, considering fairness and expertise in the procedure.

The selection criteria include the applicant institution's expertise related to the hydrogen economy, status of dedicated departments and personnel, public nature and independence, feasibility of business plans, business management capability, and alignment with the hydrogen economy activation roadmap.

The selected dedicated organizations will promote new projects planned for next year, such as hydrogen industry promotion infrastructure projects, hydrogen distribution infrastructure projects, and hydrogen safety infrastructure projects.

A Ministry official explained, "Selecting dedicated organizations before the enforcement of the Hydrogen Act is part of proactive administration to prepare for the smooth implementation of the law," adding, "After the law takes effect, a separate designation procedure according to the law will be conducted."

He said, "We expect to promote the implementation of the hydrogen economy based on safety by selecting the 'three-horse carriage' of hydrogen industry promotion, distribution, and safety dedicated organizations that will lead South Korea's hydrogen economy."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.