Korea Completes World's First Byproduct Hydrogen Power Plant

Prime Minister Jeong: "A Big Step Toward Becoming a Leading Hydrogen Economy Nation"
"15GW of Fuel Cells for Power Generation by 2040"

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun saluting the national flag with attendees including Yang Seung-jo, Governor of Chungnam Province, and Jeong In-seop, CEO of Hanwha Energy, at the completion ceremony of the Daesan Hydrogen Fuel Cell Power Plant held on the afternoon of the 28th at Daesan Green Energy in Daesan-eup, Seosan, Chungnam. (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The world's first commercial power plant utilizing by-product hydrogen as an energy source, the 'Daesan Hydrogen Fuel Cell Power Plant,' has been completed.

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun attended the completion ceremony of the Daesan Hydrogen Fuel Cell Power Plant in Seosan City, Chungnam Province, on the afternoon of the 28th. Also present at the ceremony were Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Jung Seung-il, Chungnam Governor Yang Seung-jo, and Hanwha Energy CEO Jung In-seop.

The Daesan Hydrogen Fuel Cell Power Plant is the world's first commercial power plant to utilize by-product hydrogen as an energy source.

It directly inputs by-product hydrogen generated as a byproduct in the processes of nearby petrochemical plants, which was previously burned off or discarded during the process.

Thanks to this principle, it is an eco-friendly power plant that does not emit additional greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide). This differs from existing fuel cell power plants that use hydrogen extracted from liquefied natural gas (LNG).

The completion of this power plant is expected to serve as a foundation for the full-scale implementation of the 'hydrogen economy' using clean hydrogen that emits no carbon.

Additionally, through fine filters installed in the generator, it purifies ultrafine dust in the air. It supplies clean air to the surrounding area of the power plant sufficient for about 350,000 adults to breathe.

It stably produces 400,000 MWh of electricity annually, enough for 160,000 households, and supplies it to nearby electricity demand sites.

Since the electricity production site and demand site are adjacent, it is a distributed power generation plant that requires no separate investment in transmission networks, thereby reducing environmental burdens accordingly.

Prime Minister Chung said, "South Korea possesses excellent technology, accounting for 40% of the global hydrogen fuel cell supply," and added, "Our goal is to produce 15 GW of fuel cells for power generation (with 8 GW supplied domestically) by 2040 and foster it as an export industry."

He emphasized, "Given the global trend toward clean energy transition, the current moment, just before entering the full-scale 'hydrogen economy growth phase,' is very important," and added, "The government is also taking necessary measures, such as the early launch of the 'Hydrogen Economy Committee,' which serves as the control tower for the hydrogen economy, on the 1st of this month."

He continued, "I thank the related companies that actively worked to establish the hydrogen fuel cell power plant so that the Daesan petrochemical complex, which has greatly contributed to our economy, can once again bloom with the Green New Deal and the hydrogen industry."

Earlier, on the 1st, Prime Minister Chung attended the 1st Hydrogen Economy Committee meeting, where he reviewed and approved policies for 'activating the hydrogen economy' with public and private committee members. Subsequently, on the 3rd, he visited the Wanju hydrogen charging station and Hyundai Motor's Jeonju plant to inspect the status of hydrogen mobility.

By attending the hydrogen fuel cell power plant completion ceremony, he also actively expressed his commitment to transitioning to a hydrogen economy in the energy sector.

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