Securing 450 Million KRW in National Funding
Business Execution Capabilities Recognized
Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province announced on the 6th that it has secured 450 million KRW in national funding to continue the second year (2025) of the 'Preliminary Hydrogen Specialized Company Support Project' promoted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (Korea Hydrogen Association), after passing the evaluation for the first year (2024).
At the first-year presentation evaluation held in Seoul on the 10th of last month, Jeonbuk Province successfully achieved its goals for commercialization sales and new job creation. The local company Ahes Co., Ltd. was recognized for its outstanding performance by transitioning into a hydrogen specialized company.
As a result, the existing '1 year + 1 year' support project can be stably continued.
Last year, in cooperation with Jeonbuk Technopark, the province selected 14 preliminary hydrogen specialized companies in the region and provided up to 50 million KRW per company. The support program consisted of customized growth strategies, including prototype production, patent and certification acquisition, exhibition participation, and consulting.
As a result, Ahes Co., Ltd. transitioned into a hydrogen specialized company in December 2024, expanding the number of hydrogen specialized companies in Jeonbuk to four, including Doosan Fuel Cell, Iljin Hysolus, and KOSTECH.
Companies designated as hydrogen specialized companies can receive various benefits, such as up to 150 million KRW in company support funds, tax incentives, and additional points when selected for national projects.
The province plans to further strengthen the preliminary hydrogen specialized company support project and advance its company growth support system. First, the company selection process will be simplified to reduce the physical time required for support, and the recruitment target will be expanded to include not only companies with technology or sales (12 companies) but also companies planning to transition into the hydrogen industry (2 companies). In addition, the support ratio will be adjusted by type (technology commercialization, market development, consulting) to promote balanced development among companies.
Bae Juhyun, Director of Clean Energy and Hydrogen Division, said, "Jeonbuk is continuously investing in building a hydrogen industry ecosystem. We will strengthen communication with companies and expand cooperation with related organizations to help local hydrogen-related companies gain global competitiveness."
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