Hyundai Motor Group is moving rapidly to strengthen South Korea’s hydrogen economy with an integrated green hydrogen production programme totalling 1 GW by 2030. The initiative, assessed by Singapore-based Sunnov Investment, represents a major step towards connecting industrial hydrogen supply, low-carbon mobility and long-term energy security.

At the core of the plan is a large hydrogen production hub in South Jeolla Province. The first phase consists of a 500 MW facility, later expanding to the full 1 GW capacity. The site will serve as a major source of green hydrogen for both industrial use and mobility applications, forming the anchor for a broader clean-energy cluster. According to Thomas Gardner, Director of Private Equity at Sunnov Investment, the project demonstrates how a single platform can “connect power generation, industrial gases and mobility” to create an investable clean-energy ecosystem.

A key element of Hyundai’s strategy is its commitment to proton exchange membrane (PEM) technology, which aligns with the company’s fuel-cell vehicle portfolio. PEM systems enable component overlap between industrial electrolysers and fuel-cell mobility applications, improving supply-chain efficiency. Gardner noted that using shared PEM components could reduce levelised hydrogen costs by up to 50% over the operating life of future projects.

New PEM tech plant

Alongside the production hub, Hyundai is constructing a major PEM technology manufacturing plant in Ulsan. The company plans to invest around $630 million in the facility, which is expected to start operations in 2027. Once complete, it will produce up to 30,000 fuel-cell units annually for cars, commercial vehicles, marine vessels and stationary power systems, strengthening domestic capability across the hydrogen value chain. Hyundai also reports that nearly 90% of electrolyser components are now sourced from Korean suppliers, supported by increasing export activity to Europe and collaborations with specialist hydrogen developers.

The hydrogen programme forms part of Hyundai’s wider domestic investment plan totalling approximately $85.1 billion through 2030. This strategic expansion is further supported by a trade agreement reducing U.S. tariffs on qualifying vehicle exports, improving the economics of domestic production upgrades.

Source: 

https://bioenergytimes.com/hyundai-motor-group-speeds-up-south-koreas-hydrogen-transition-with-1-gw-green-hydrogen-plan/