Hydrogen shortage gradually easing

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Hydrogen shortage gradually easing

Published: 28 Nov. 2023, 18:44

JIN EUN-SOO
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Fuel cell cars line up at a hydrogen charging station in Chuncheon, Gangwon, on Nov. 23, 2023, amid a hydrogen shortage caused by a production reduction in the facilities of a hydrogen producer in Dangjin, South Chungcheong, on the country's west coast. [Yonhap]

The ongoing supply disruption of hydrogen for vehicles in Korea has gradually eased and is expected to be fully resolved by mid-December, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said Tuesday.

Hydrogen charging stations in the greater Seoul area, Chungcheong and Gangwon have experienced a supply shortage after part of Hyundai Steel Co.'s hydrogen production equipment broke down in Dangjin, South Chungcheong earlier this month.

“We've secured and supplied additional volumes of hydrogen produced at other facilities to the affected region since Saturday, which have met most of the demand from charging stations there,” the ministry said in a release.

The number of charging stations that have suspended operations has fallen to nine from 23 and is expected to decrease further.

Some 20 charging stations have shortened their operating times, but they will operate normally starting Wednesday.

Hyundai Steel is pushing to speed up repair work, per the ministry.
South Korea has a total of 160 hydrogen charging stations nationwide with 96 centrally located.

Yonhap