CCU Megaproject, Hydrogen, Digital Twin... Government to Invest 151.1 Billion Won in 2026

From Research to Demonstration and Commercialization:
Transforming the Landscape of Climate, Environment, and Energy R&D

The Ministry of Science and ICT is accelerating its response to the climate crisis through large-scale research and development (R&D) investments focused on carbon capture and utilization (CCU), clean hydrogen, and artificial intelligence (AI)-based climate technologies.

On January 8, the Ministry of Science and ICT announced that it has finalized the '2026 Climate, Environment, and Energy R&D Project Implementation Plan,' which will allocate a total of 151.1 billion won to the development of hydrogen energy, CCU, solar cells, and climate adaptation technologies. This represents a 75.2% increase compared to the previous year.

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This implementation plan emphasizes moving beyond the research stage for climate technologies, focusing on large-scale demonstrations and connections to industrial sites. The Ministry plans to launch a total of 10 new projects, including the CCU megaproject, and will strengthen demonstration and commercialization linkages based on public-private cooperation.

The CCU megaproject is a large-scale demonstration initiative targeting high greenhouse gas-emitting industries such as steel and power generation, covering the entire process from carbon dioxide supply to CCU product manufacturing. A total of 380.6 billion won will be invested from 2026 to 2030, with private companies such as POSCO Holdings and LG Chem participating.

In the clean hydrogen sector, the Ministry will enhance technological competitiveness through collaboration among industry, academia, research institutes, and government. The plan includes integrating AI into catalyst and process development, as well as advancing digital twin technologies that simulate urban environmental changes, thereby expanding AI and digital-based climate technology research in earnest.

Additionally, to strengthen the foundation of the CCU industry, the Ministry will establish a verification system for specialized companies and a certification framework for technologies and products. New policies will also be formulated, such as the 'Advanced Plasma Technology Development Strategy' and the 'CCU Industry Promotion and Technology Commercialization Strategy.'

To create a virtuous cycle in which R&D outcomes are disseminated to the private sector, the Ministry will pursue institutional improvements and plan large-scale new R&D projects, continuing to expand investment in the climate, environment, and energy sectors. Detailed information regarding the call for new projects for 2026 will be announced on the Korea Research Foundation website at the end of this month.