Hydrogen Supply Shaken by Middle East Uncertainty... Government Conducts Emergency Review of Transportation Hydrogen

Decrease in Byproduct Hydrogen, Increase in Reformed Hydrogen
"Supply Remains Stable, Price Management Emphasized"

New Hydrogen Refueling Station at Incheon Airport. The Asia Business Daily DB

As instability in the Middle East spreads throughout the energy sector, the government has begun to review the supply and demand of hydrogen for transportation. Although some changes in supply conditions have been detected, such as a decrease in naphtha imports, the government has determined that operations are continuing normally with no disruptions in supply so far.

On the morning of March 18, the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment held a meeting at the Center Point Gwanghwamun Building in Jongno-gu, Seoul, to examine supply and demand trends for hydrogen used in transportation and to review the responses of companies in light of the situation in the Middle East.

The meeting, presided over by Oil Young, policy chief of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, was attended by relevant ministries such as the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, as well as petrochemical companies including Lotte Chemical and LG Chem, and by byproduct hydrogen suppliers such as SK E&S, Aprotium, and Deokyang Energen.

The participants shared information on the status of raw material supply, production volumes, and additional production capacity, and discussed ways to cooperate in securing alternative supplies in the event of supply and demand difficulties.

The Korea Institute of Petroleum Management reported that domestic hydrogen supply for transportation is currently proceeding normally. The daily supply volume has recently been maintained at the level of 56 to 75 tons.

However, due to the decrease in naphtha imports resulting from the Middle East situation, there have been some changes in the supply structure. The proportion of byproduct hydrogen generated from petrochemical processes has declined, while the proportion of reformed hydrogen produced using natural gas has increased by approximately 3% (about 2 tons).

Oil Young, policy chief, emphasized, "Even amid the impact of the Middle East situation on energy supply and demand, we must do our utmost to ensure a stable supply of hydrogen for transportation so that citizens do not experience inconvenience when using hydrogen buses and other hydrogen vehicles." He also urged hydrogen charging station operators to actively work toward stabilizing hydrogen prices.

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