'Only 100% Green Hydrogen Can Achieve National 2050 Carbon Neutrality' Claim
[Jeonju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Kim Han-ho] The Jeonbuk Research Institute (President Kwon Hyuk-nam) published an issue briefing titled "Saemangeum Green Hydrogen as a Bridgehead for National Carbon Neutrality Realization" on the 1st, arguing that to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, Saemangeum should be utilized diversely at the pan-government level not only for green hydrogen production and supply but also in three areas: hydrogen economy, hydrogen innovation, and more.
The institute emphasized the importance of green hydrogen for national carbon neutrality realization, stating, "An analysis of the three carbon neutrality scenario drafts presented by the Carbon Neutrality Committee last August shows that only by stopping the production of extracted hydrogen and byproduct hydrogen and using 100% imported hydrogen and green hydrogen can net greenhouse gas emissions reach zero by 2050."
According to the briefing, Saemangeum is rich in renewable energy resources and is not only pushing forward the establishment of the largest green hydrogen production facility in Korea but also developing various innovation support facilities.
Accordingly, the Jeonbuk Research Institute stated, "Saemangeum has an environment favorable for scaling up green hydrogen production, diversifying its use, and sustaining innovation," and proposed three measures to more broadly utilize Saemangeum for the national transition to a green hydrogen-centered society.
First, it advocated fostering Saemangeum as a national green hydrogen supply base, leveraging the establishment of the country's largest green hydrogen facility as an opportunity.
To this end, it suggested that the ongoing preliminary feasibility study should reflect future demand based on carbon neutrality scenarios in its economic analysis, and that the role of green hydrogen in achieving national carbon neutrality should be incorporated into policy analysis.
Second, it emphasized that green hydrogen should be utilized in various infrastructure planned for Saemangeum, such as industrial complexes, ports, tourism, and residential facilities, to set a standard for the national green hydrogen economy.
It argued that a Saemangeum green hydrogen-centered carbon neutrality implementation plan should be established to specify the plan, or that the Hydrogen City Act, currently under legislation, should include provisions for designating and supporting green hydrogen pilot cities, thereby developing the entire Saemangeum area as a national green hydrogen economy pilot city and securing public acceptance through various demonstration projects.
Lastly, it proposed establishing a national green hydrogen innovation base in Saemangeum not only for green hydrogen production but also for creating a diverse industrial ecosystem.
The Jeonbuk Research Institute added that green hydrogen should be added to the key industries of the Saemangeum Energy Convergence Complex to attract the agglomeration of related companies and innovation institutions, and that the government should support the construction of support facilities for domestic production of equipment and market development to secure competitiveness in the green hydrogen industry.
Jeonju=Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Kim Han-ho stonepeak@asiae.co.kr
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