Energy Ministry to monitor hydrogen supply amid shortage

Cars are lined up at a hydrogen charging station in Chuncheon, 76 kilometers (47 miles) northeast of Seoul, on Nov. 23, 2023. [Yonhap]

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said it would closely monitor the hydrogen supply for automobiles amid supply disruptions in Korea's central region.

The ministry hosted a meeting Friday with representatives of hydrogen producers, retailers and regional governments to address the ongoing shortage.

Hydrogen charging stations in central parts of the country, including the greater Seoul area and Chungcheong provinces, have been facing supply shortages over the past few days due to a delay in maintenance at hydrogen production facilities in Dangjin, 78 kilometers (around 48 miles) south of Seoul.

On the previous day, Hyundai Steel Co., a local hydrogen producer, said it plans to partially complete the maintenance this month, though it may take more time to normalize operations fully.

The company accounts for around 20 to 30 percent of the hydrogen supply in the central region.

During the meeting, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy asked retailers to utilize surplus hydrogen produced at other facilities.

“The government will spare no effort to normalize the hydrogen supply at charging stations by working closely with businesses and related organizations,” a ministry official said.

Yonhap