SK E&S Collaborates on Hydrogen Bus Transition for Public Institutions in Wonju City

SK E&S supports the hydrogen bus conversion project in Wonju Innovation City.

On the 8th, SK E&S announced that it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the expansion of hydrogen bus usage by public institutions in Wonju Innovation City with Gangwon Province, Wonju City, the Ministry of Environment, and Hyundai Motor Company at the Inter-Burgo Hotel in Wonju, Gangwon Province. The signing ceremony was attended by Han Hwa-jin, Minister of Environment; Jeong Gwang-yeol, Deputy Governor of Gangwon Province for Economic Affairs; Won Kang-su, Mayor of Wonju City; Kwon Hyung-gyun, Head of Hydrogen Division at SK E&S; and Yoo Won-ha, Head of Domestic Business Division at Hyundai Motor Company.

Through this agreement, more than 100 commuter and event/business buses used by public institutions within Gangwon Innovation City are expected to be converted to eco-friendly hydrogen buses by 2026.

Starting at the end of this year, SK E&S will produce up to 30,000 tons of liquefied hydrogen annually at the Incheon liquefied hydrogen plant, ensuring a stable supply of liquefied hydrogen, the fuel for hydrogen buses. Additionally, SK E&S will support the establishment and timely operation of refueling facilities within Wonju City to build the infrastructure necessary for the hydrogen bus conversion.

The Ministry of Environment will play a role in policy and financial support to expand ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) management among public institutions by extending the performance warranty period for hydrogen buses and providing purchase subsidies. Gangwon Province and Wonju City plan to actively cooperate in securing purchase subsidies and facilitating permits for expanding hydrogen refueling stations to enable public institutions to swiftly transition to hydrogen buses. Hyundai Motor Company will ensure the smooth supply of hydrogen buses to help achieve the hydrogen bus conversion goals.

Kwon Hyung-gyun, Head of Hydrogen Division at SK E&S, stated, "If many public institutions proactively introduce hydrogen buses, it will contribute to ESG management practices such as greenhouse gas reduction and the realization of national carbon neutrality. Starting at the end of this year, we will supply competitively priced liquefied hydrogen to support the conversion of more public institutions to hydrogen buses in the future."