Sejong, May 15 - On May 12, the Ministry of Environment (Minister Han Wha-jin) inspected the SK Incheon Liquefied Hydrogen Production Facility in Seo-gu, Incheon Metropolitan City. An inspection was conducted on-site to oversee the progress of the related companies, such as SK E&S. The aim was to ensure that the production of liquefied hydrogen and its usage at charging stations could be carried out seamlessly by the end this year.

Since 2022, the Ministry of Environment has backed the building of 29 liquefied hydrogen refueling stations. About ten refueling stations will become operational by the end of 2023, mainly in Incheon, Gumi, Gyeongsangbuk-do, and other locations. Because liquefied hydrogen can transport more hydrogen at once than gaseous hydrogen, these refueling stations are anticipated to boost the charging efficiency of large hydrogen commercial vehicles.

An MOU was signed on May 4 between the Ministry of Environment, 12 local governments, seven private companies, and seven bus transportation companies. The agreement aims to convert 250 commuter buses to hydrogen buses this year and 2,000 by 2026. The liquefied hydrogen refueling stations are expected to speed up the supply of hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles, including hydrogen commuter buses.

The SK Incheon Liquefied Hydrogen Production Facility will be the world's biggest liquefied hydrogen production facility, generating 30,000 tons of hydrogen annually. The construction started in July 2021 and invested around KRW 600 billion. The project is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

Geum Han-seung, Deputy Minister of the Climate Change and Carbon Neutral Policy Office of the Ministry of Environment, said, "The Ministry is distributing commercial hydrogen vehicles, such as fuel-cell buses, by actively supporting the construction of hydrogen refueling stations." He added, "From the end of 2023, liquefied hydrogen will be produced, and refueling stations will be in operation. If so, there will be a significant shift towards the widespread use of hydrogen commercial vehicles."

Contact: Kim Yoo-ran, Deputy Director

Air Quality Future Strategy Division / +82-(0)44-201-6881

Foreign Media Contact: Chun Minjo(Rachel)

+82-(0)44-201-6055 / rachelmchun@korea.kr