SK E&S Announces 'Blue Hydrogen Partnership' at COP28... Accelerating Carbon Neutrality

SK E&S plans to lead the early establishment of the domestic hydrogen ecosystem by mass-producing blue hydrogen and contribute to global carbon neutrality as well. Blue hydrogen refers to hydrogen produced by applying carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology during the process of reforming natural gas to reduce carbon emissions.

On the 2nd (local time), SK E&S announced that it signed a global memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the success of the largest domestic blue hydrogen project underway in Boryeong, Chungcheongnam-do, with Chungnam Province, Korea Midland Power, GE Vernova, and Air Liquide at the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

On the 2nd (local time), SK E&S announced that it signed a global business cooperation agreement (MOU) for the success of the largest domestic blue hydrogen project underway in Boryeong, Chungcheongnam-do, with Chungcheongnam-do, Korea Midland Power, GE Vernova, and Air Liquide at the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). From left: Roger Martella, Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) of GE Vernova; Dominique Rouze, Vice President of Air Liquide; Kim Tae-heum, Governor of Chungcheongnam-do; Kim Kwang-il, Vice President of Korea Midland Power; Kwon Hyung-gyun, Vice President of SK E&S. (Photo by SK E&S)

SK E&S plans to import low-carbon LNG produced from the Barossa gas field in Australia and produce hydrogen at the Boryeong blue hydrogen plant, capturing and storing the carbon dioxide generated in this process using CCS technology.

Through this agreement, SK E&S will stably produce and supply blue hydrogen and discover consumers. SK E&S plans to produce 250,000 tons of blue hydrogen annually at the Boryeong blue hydrogen plant and supply it to gaseous hydrogen pipelines and liquefied hydrogen charging stations under construction nationwide.

Global hydrogen specialists Air Liquide and GE Vernova will supply key equipment required for the Boryeong blue hydrogen plant. Air Liquide will provide hydrogen production and liquefaction main equipment, while GE will be responsible for manufacturing hydrogen turbines used in co-firing power generation. Chungcheongnam-do will provide administrative support and permits during the hydrogen plant promotion process, and Korea Midland Power will support overall project management and maintenance of the plant construction.

SK E&S expects that the large-scale investment of 6.7 trillion KRW will create 105,000 jobs and generate social and economic benefits worth 59 trillion KRW, while achieving an annual carbon reduction effect of 2.2 million tons.

Additionally, SK E&S held a 'Global Cooperation for the Blue Hydrogen Value Chain' event with the Carbon Neutral Green Growth Committee to mark its first participation in COP. At this event held at the COP Korea Pavilion, SK E&S presented on 'The Role of Hydrogen in the Energy Transition Era' and shared the current status of hydrogen-related technologies from GE and Air Liquide.

Kim Sang-hyup, Chairman of the Carbon Neutral Green Growth Committee, stated, "Many global energy companies have already determined that clean hydrogen will become a global trend and are striving to develop technologies such as blue hydrogen production applying CCS technology and co-firing power generation. The transition to carbon-free energy sources is an indispensable direction in the era of climate crisis, and achieving this requires comprehensive cooperation among governments, international organizations, and private companies."

Kwon Hyung-gyun, Vice President of SK E&S, said, "Considering the intermittency of renewable energy and the vulnerability of electric vehicles for long-distance transportation, hydrogen will play an even more critical role in the future. Through the successful promotion of the Boryeong blue hydrogen plant, we will contribute to the expansion of the domestic hydrogen ecosystem and the achievement of carbon neutrality."

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