[Special Carbon Neutral Economy Zone Chungnam] ② Rising as a Hub of Clean Energy Economy

Activation of the Hydrogen Industry and Expansion of Carbon Neutrality Practices in Daily Life
Successful Bid to Host the 'Asia Climate Action Summit' Based on Achievements

Editor's NoteAs Chungnam Province enters its second year since declaring itself a Special Carbon Neutral Economy Province, tangible results are emerging. Chungnam, the top greenhouse gas emitter in South Korea, is leading the way in achieving carbon neutrality with a contrarian strategy of "the last in the school becoming first." We explore the achievements and challenges of Chungnam's ambitious '2045 Carbon Neutrality' plan, which aims to realize carbon neutrality five years ahead of the government's schedule, in a three-part series.

Chungnam Governor Kim Tae-heum is attending the Asia Renewable Energy Growth Forum and meeting with Helen Clarkson, CEO of the Climate Group. / Chungnam Province

Chungnam Province, leading South Korea's carbon neutrality efforts, is showing visible progress. In response to the phase-out of coal-fired power plants, the province is focusing on fostering the hydrogen industry, which is gaining attention as a clean energy source. Alongside this, it is accelerating the spread of a culture of practicing carbon neutrality in daily life.

According to Chungnam Province on the 6th, both domestically and internationally, investments in coal-fired power plants are decreasing while investments in renewable energy are expanding in response to the climate crisis. Half of South Korea's coal-fired power plants are concentrated in Chungnam, and high-carbon industries are densely located there, making the transition to renewable energy industries essential for carbon neutrality.

Governor Kim Tae-heum also identified 'energy transition' as the only way for Chungnam to respond to climate change. He emphasized, "65% of Chungnam's greenhouse gas emissions come from the energy industry sector," and added, "We will implement an energy transition strategy that gradually replaces coal power with clean and safe renewable energy."

The province is concentrating on revitalizing the hydrogen industry to transform the high-carbon energy-centered supply system into an eco-friendly low-carbon energy system. Hydrogen is a zero-carbon clean fuel and a key means to overcome the limitations of renewable energy.

To promote the hydrogen industry, the province is establishing a hydrogen energy convergence industrial belt along the west coast. This is a core part of Chungnam's carbon neutrality policy, aiming to build a blue hydrogen production cluster, ammonia power generation at coal-fired power plants, and eco-friendly hydrogen production bases.

The world's largest blue hydrogen plant being constructed in Boryeong is expected to produce 250,000 tons of hydrogen annually, supplying hydrogen fuel cells and vehicle charging. The approximately 2 million tons of carbon dioxide generated annually during blue hydrogen production will be captured and liquefied, then stored in overseas depleted gas fields via liquefied carbon dioxide transport ships, thereby reducing carbon emissions. Global companies from the U.S. and France, along with international organizations, have pledged support in hydrogen power technology and financing for the plant's construction.

Aerial view of Cheongyang Hydrogen Specialized Complex. / Chungnam Province

The general industrial complex being built in Cheongyang will be a hydrogen-specialized complex supporting the development and distribution of hydrogen electric vehicles and fuel cells. In Seosan, a specialized research facility for carbon capture and utilization (CCU) technology demonstration will be established, expected to contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by supporting companies' development of carbon dioxide utilization technologies.

Recently, Cheonan, Boryeong, and Geumsan have been designated as government regulatory-free zones, with plans to develop a 'Green Ammonia Utilization Hydrogen Power Generation Zone' by 2028. Replacing natural gas fuel cells with ammonia direct supply fuel cells could reduce carbon emissions by approximately 5.7 million tons.

The province is also spreading a culture of practicing carbon neutrality in daily life. Since declaring itself a Special Carbon Neutral Economy Province, it began eliminating single-use plastics within the provincial government building in June last year and has expanded the carbon neutrality atmosphere throughout the province. Fifteen cities and counties, affiliated public institutions, the provincial office of education, the provincial police agency, and major local corporations have actively joined in promoting the use of reusable containers. After the ban on single-use items, plastic waste generation within the provincial government building has decreased by more than half compared to last year, showing positive effects.

Building on these achievements, the province successfully attracted the 'Asia Climate Action Summit' to the Chungnam Carbon Neutral International Conference scheduled for October. The Asia Climate Action Summit is an organization that discusses policies and cooperation measures to spread carbon neutrality in the Asia-Pacific region, hosted by the multinational climate group Climate Group, which connects 175 countries worldwide and over 500 multinational corporations.

This summit is significant as it brings together local governments, NGOs, and companies from around the world to Chungnam to discuss carbon neutrality after the province declared itself a Special Carbon Neutral Economy Province, allowing Chungnam to showcase its achievements leading South Korea's carbon neutrality efforts both domestically and internationally.

Governor Kim Tae-heum said, "Amid the global energy transition era, the direction Chungnam must take is the future energy industry such as hydrogen," adding, "Through a just transition, we will expand hydrogen and renewable energy, promote leading carbon neutrality measures, and enhance our status as a clean energy economic hub."

He continued, "The changes Chungnam is creating, from zero single-use items to carbon neutrality, will become a culture and a great force to overcome the climate crisis."