Attracting Pohang's First Hydrogen Fuel Cell Manufacturer
Pohang Takes a Leap Toward Becoming a Central City in the Hydrogen Economy
Agreements Accelerate Move-Ins for Companies in Pohang's Hydrogen-Specialized Complex
Corporate Clustering Gains Momentum
Pohang is emerging as a hub for the hydrogen industry.
Hydrogen-specialized company FCI held a groundbreaking ceremony for the "Hydrogen Fuel Cell Production Facility Plant 1" on November 14 at the Pohang Blue Valley National Industrial Complex.
Hydrogen specialized company FCI held a groundbreaking ceremony for the "Hydrogen Fuel Cell Production Facility Plant 1" on the 14th at Pohang Blue Valley National Industrial Complex. Photo by Pohang City
This groundbreaking marks the first time a hydrogen fuel cell manufacturing company has been attracted to Pohang, and it is expected to become a significant turning point in expanding the region's hydrogen industry ecosystem.
The event was attended by Lee Kangdeok, Mayor of Pohang; Kim Ilman, Chairman of the Pohang City Council; Bae Youngho, President of Pohang Technopark; Kim Heondeok, President of Pohang Materials Industry Promotion Institute (Pomia); as well as executives from overseas investors and partner companies, with a total of over 50 participants, all celebrating Pohang's leap toward becoming a central city in the hydrogen economy.
FCI Pohang Plant 1 is being developed based on a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) agreement signed with the city of Pohang in 2021. The plant will be built on a site of 48,556 square meters, with a manufacturing line capable of producing 25 MW annually, to be established in phases.
Through this, the company plans to establish an integrated supply system capable of producing hydrogen fuel cell stacks, core components, and water electrolysis systems, thereby enhancing its ability to respond to domestic and international markets.
In particular, by advancing technologies such as the development of small solid oxide electrolyzers (SOE) and the commercialization of large-scale 240 kW models, the company will strengthen its role as a strategic base for the transition to carbon neutrality. With this project, Gyeongbuk Province is expected to establish the only hydrogen industry value chain in the region, connecting raw materials, components, and finished products.
Mayor Lee Kangdeok stated, "FCI's investment in Pohang is a decisive opportunity for the city to become a central hub in the hydrogen economy," adding, "We will build an energy foundation that leads the era of carbon neutrality."
FCI CEO Lee Taewon said, "Pohang Plant 1 will serve as a key base for the commercialization of large fuel cells and global exports," adding, "We will foster Pohang as a global hydrogen fuel cell city."
Industry experts emphasized that the establishment of a finished product manufacturing company in Pohang is highly significant in terms of industrial structure, as it will establish a hydrogen fuel cell production and export system.
Pohang City expects that, starting next year, companies that have signed agreements for the hydrogen-specialized complex will begin moving in in earnest. With the groundbreaking of FCI, the concentration of companies is expected to accelerate, and the completion of the regional hydrogen industry value chain will be further expedited.
Once FCI Plant 1 is completed and operational, it is expected to create new jobs and contribute to building a regional innovation ecosystem by strengthening collaboration among research institutes, universities, and companies.
In particular, the recent attraction of a global AI data center to Pohang is expected to enable the establishment of an eco-friendly power supply system using hydrogen fuel cells. Based on this, the synergy created by the convergence of the hydrogen, energy, and AI industries is also expected to accelerate.
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