Hyundai has officially completed what it claims to be South Korea’s first large-scale commercial green hydrogen production plant, marking a major milestone for the nation’s energy transition efforts. However, industry sources and records indicate that while pioneering for Korea, the project is not the largest of its kind globally or regionally.
Hyundai Launches Korea’s First Commercial Green Hydrogen Plant
The new plant, located in Buan, Jeollabuk-do, leverages water electrolysis technology to generate, store, and transport more than one ton of green hydrogen per day, powered by renewable energy sources such as photovoltaics and wind. This milestone positions Hyundai as a key player in Korea’s transition to clean hydrogen production, with the infrastructure designed to support hydrogen-powered mobility and serve as a commercial base for related industries like vehicle fueling and hydrogen logistics.
Technology and Regional Impact
- Water electrolysis forms the core of the facility, splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity derived from renewables, ensuring zero carbon emissions during production.
- The site integrates hydrogen storage and transport systems, enabling efficient supply to fueling stations and directly supporting commercial hydrogen vehicles.
- Hyundai is responsible for plant design, procurement, construction, and operation for at least five years, laying foundational expertise for future hydrogen mega-projects.
- The plant is seen as a cornerstone for Korea’s clean hydrogen strategy and is expected to encourage further investments and large-scale developments domestically.
Comparing Regional and Global Peers
- While Hyundai’s Buan facility is the largest commercial green hydrogen plant in Korea to date, larger projects exist in Asia and worldwide, such as Singapore’s 600MW hydrogen-ready power plant and other multi-megawatt developments in China and the EU.
- Industry analysis projects substantial growth for green hydrogen in Asia-Pacific, with South Korea’s regulatory environment and investment initiatives positioning the country at the forefront of this sector’s expansion.
- Hyundai’s ongoing collaboration with international partners such as RWE in offshore wind and green hydrogen highlights an ambition to scale operations and contribute to the global green hydrogen value chain.
National Strategy and Future Outlook
- Hyundai and South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy view the Buan plant as central to achieving national decarbonization targets and establishing leadership in hydrogen mobility technologies.
- The initiative aligns with the nation’s broader goal to expand hydrogen consumption to three million tonnes annually by 2035, with ongoing scale-up supported by Hyundai Motor Group’s integrated R&D and manufacturing capabilities.
- Future plans include developing next-generation fuel cell production, additional commercial-scale plants, and integrating hydrogen across transport and grid infrastructure.
Hyundai’s achievement marks a significant step for Korea as competition intensifies in the race for clean energy leadership across Asia. The Buan plant sets a technological benchmark and is expected to provide long-term operational insights while accelerating the nation’s shift toward a sustainable hydrogen economy.