South Korea to Launch First Nuclear Hydrogen Production Plant by 2027
Funded with 29 billion won ($21 million) from the Ministry of Energy, Trade and Industry, involves some of the nation’s largest corporations, including Hyundai Engineering & Construction, Samsung C&T, Doosan Energy, and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) to deliver the first nuclear hydrogen production plant.
“This agreement was signed to carry out a nuclear clean hydrogen production demonstration project and promote commercialization by bringing together companies and public institutions leading the domestic carbon neutrality and hydrogen economy revitalization,” stated Hyundai E&C.
The partners are committed to building and operating a large-capacity commercial plant for nuclear clean energy production and developing a business model for domestic usage and international export.
Technical Specifications and Production Goals
The 10 MW plant will employ “low-temperature water electrolysis” producing more than four tonnes of pink hydrogen daily. This process excludes high-temperature solid-oxide electrolysers ensuring efficient hydrogen production, storage and shipment. KHNP operates nearly 25 GW of nuclear power stations in South Korea and has been conducting foundational research on pink hydrogen since 2022.
Strategic Importance and Future Prospects
KHNP CEO Hwang Joo-ho emphasized the project’s significance stating, “Clean hydrogen is a very important means for a sustainable energy future and answer to climate change. The clean hydrogen production from nuclear power is a pivotal element in achieving the country’s carbon neutrality goal and discovering future energy security.”
Hyundai E&C aims to dominate domestic and international markets in nuclear power-plant hydrogen production packages
Industry and Government Collaboration
The cooperation agreement includes key players like Korea Electric Power Technology, Korea Power Exchange, Korea Gas Safety Corporation, and Korea Gas Technology Corporation. Other representatives from the National Assembly, industry, academia, and research institutes participated in the signing ceremony, underscoring the support for this endeavour.
Forum on Nuclear Power Clean Hydrogen Business
The Nuclear Power Clean Hydrogen Business Forum was held at the Novotel Ambassador Hotel in Seoul. Hosted by the Korea Atomic Industrial Forum and sponsored by KHNP, KEPCO E&C and Doosan Enerbility. Around 100 representatives participated to discuss clean hydrogen’s role in achieving carbon neutrality, sensations in hydrogen production and the economic feasibility and commercialization of clean hydrogen technologies.
To develop and commercialise the “Research on the Design and Licensing of Large-Scale Clean Hydrogen Production/Storage Plant” project, KHNP signed an MOU with various organizations fostering a sustainable nuclear and hydrogen power business ecosystem.
KHNP CEO Chung Jae-hoon commented, “If industry, academia, research institutes and government unite to develop clean hydrogen technology we can contribute to energy security against the backdrop of increasing demand for hydrogen. We are confident that our ‘nuclear power export & clean hydrogen’ plant model will attain a competitive edge even in the international nuclear power export markets.”
