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South Korea: Pioneering the Hydrogen Revolution
- HX
- Aug 15
- 2 min read
South Korea is rapidly emerging as a global powerhouse in the hydrogen economy, thanks to bold investments, cutting-edge infrastructure, and visionary policies that are setting new global benchmarks for clean energy. The country has embraced hydrogen not as a distant alternative, but as a core pillar of its industrial strategy and energy transition plans.
In Incheon, SK E&S has built the world’s largest liquefied hydrogen plant with a production capacity of 30,000 tons per year. This is enough to power approximately 5,000 hydrogen buses annually and represents a major step toward creating a sustainable transportation network. The steel industry is also undergoing transformation, with the government investing around ₩815 billion (US$600 million) through 2030 to develop hydrogen-based steelmaking technology, a breakthrough expected to cut emissions by up to 95 percent compared to conventional methods.
In 2025, South Korea launched its first Hydrogen Power Bidding Market, a landmark move designed to secure long-term contracts for clean hydrogen. The initiative includes 3,000 GWh of annual clean hydrogen supply starting in 2029, alongside 1,300 GWh of general hydrogen beginning in 2027. These contracts, some stretching up to 20 years, are designed to give producers and investors the confidence to scale production.
Hydrogen transport is another area where South Korea is setting records. By 2027, the country aims to deploy the world’s largest liquefied hydrogen carrier, backed by a ₩55.5 billion (about US$40–44 million) investment. Capable of transporting hydrogen at –253°C, this vessel will reduce hydrogen’s volume by 800 times, making large-scale international shipping practical and cost-effective.
The Ulsan Green Hydrogen Town is a showcase of how hydrogen can power an entire urban ecosystem. This pilot city features 188 kilometers of pipelines channeling byproduct hydrogen from petrochemical plants, along with infrastructure for hydrogen cars, ships, and forklifts. The city has even built a carbon-neutral apartment complex heated by fuel cells and is preparing to launch hydrogen-powered trams by 2028.
South Korea’s leadership in the hydrogen economy is rooted in the ambitious Hydrogen Economy Roadmap launched in 2019. The plan envisions annual hydrogen consumption reaching 5.26 million tons by 2040, supported by a vast network of refueling stations—310 by 2022 and 1,200 by 2040. This vision is backed by significant public and private funding, ensuring rapid expansion of the necessary infrastructure.
Major corporations are accelerating the momentum. Hyundai Motor Group is investing â‚©24.3 trillion (US$16.6 billion) in 2025 alone, with more than â‚©11.5 trillion dedicated to hydrogen-related research and development. At COP28, Hyundai unveiled a waste-to-hydrogen process that uses biogas from organic waste to produce clean hydrogen for mobility and power generation.
Doosan Fuel Cell is also making its mark, operating the world’s first byproduct hydrogen fuel-cell power plant in Seosan and expanding into solid-oxide fuel cell mass production in 2025. These advancements position South Korea not only as a leader in domestic hydrogen adoption but also as a key player in exporting hydrogen technologies worldwide.
Through its integrated approach—spanning production, industrial decarbonization, mobility innovation, and export infrastructure—South Korea has positioned itself at the forefront of the global hydrogen race. With strategic public-private coordination, strong legal frameworks, and active international partnerships, the country is proving that a hydrogen-powered future is not just possible, but already in motion.