Busan's govt, firms have hydrogen goals to help expo bid

Industry

Published: 19 Sep. 2022, 17:02 Updated: 19 Sep. 2022, 19:11

Busan's govt, firms have hydrogen goals to help expo bid

Environment Minister Han Hwa-jin, fourth from the left, and Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon, fifth from left, pose with representatives of SK E&S, Hyundai Motor, Busan Port Authority, Busan Technopark, and Busan Metrobus Company Association during a signing ceremony in Busan on Monday. [SK E&S]

Busan will deploy 1,000 fuel cell buses by 2025 in a public-private sector project with local companies.

The goal is to speed up Busan’s carbon neutrality with a focus on hydrogen and support the city’s bid to host the 2030 World Expo.

The Busan Metropolitan Government on Monday signed an agreement with SK E&S, Hyundai Motor, the Ministry of Environment, Busan Port Authority, Busan Technopark and Busan Metrobus Company Association, according to SK E&S.

The companies and government organizations plan to replace some 1,000 diesel- or natural gas-powered buses in the city with Hyundai’s fuel-cell electric buses by 2025. Beginning with 322 units in 2023, Busan will deploy 402 more fuel cell buses in 2024 and 285 in 2025.

Moreover, 10 more hydrogen fueling stations will be built in the city, said SK E&S. Busan currently has three.

SK E&S said it will invest 110 billion won ($79 million) in the Busan project by 2030. The energy company will oversee the establishment of liquid hydrogen distribution and charging infrastructure, while supporting local hydrogen companies.

Busan's government aims to foster 10 hydrogen companies in the region through support for research and training.

Transforming Busan Port into an eco-friendly hydrogen port is part of the plan. Busan hopes to set up hydrogen facilities including a refueling station in the port and replace vessels, equipment and vehicles such as trucks with hydrogen-powered ones.

The project aims to create a hydrogen economy encompassing mobility and distribution infrastructure and to foster hydrogen companies and experts in the city. Busan hopes to propose the concept of a “carbon-neutral expo” based on hydrogen, with the goal of setting itself apart from its competitors.

“2030 is the year for the interim carbon reduction target in Korea’s plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050,” said SK E&S CEO Choo Hyung-wook. “If Busan successfully turns itself into a leading hydrogen city that takes the lead in efforts to achieve carbon neutrality, it will lead to not only the successful bid for the 2030 World Expo, but also set a successful example as an eco-friendly global city.”

BY SHIN HA-NEE [shin.hanee@joongang.co.kr]