The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment (MCEE, Minister Kim Sungwhan) announced that it will hold a meeting on March 18 in the morning at a conference room in the Centerpoint Gwanghwamun Building (located in Jongno-gu, Seoul) to review the supply and demand status of hydrogen for transportation in relation to the situation in the Middle East. 

The meeting will be chaired by Oh Il-young, Deputy Minister for Climate and Energy Policy Office at the MCEE, and will review hydrogen supply trends and industry response measures.

Attendees will include relevant ministries such as the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, as well as around 20 companies and hydrogen-related institutions, including petrochemical companies (Lotte Chemical, LG Chem), by-product hydrogen suppliers (SKI E&S, Approtium, Deokyang Energen, etc.), reformed hydrogen suppliers (Korea Gas Corporation, Korea Gas Technology Corporation), hydrogen refueling station operators (HyNet, Kohygen), hydrogen vehicle manufacturers (Hyundai Motor, etc.), and the designated hydrogen distribution agency (Korea Petroleum Quality & Distribution Authority).

The designated hydrogen distribution agency (Korea Petroleum Quality & Distribution Authority) will share the current status of domestic hydrogen supply in relation to the situation in the Middle East and is expected to state that hydrogen for transportation in Korea is currently being supplied without disruption*. 

* Daily supply of hydrogen for transportation: approximately 56-75 tons (as of March 5-19) 

In addition, it will be explained that, due to a recent decline in naphtha imports stemming from the situation in the Middle East, the share of by-product hydrogen supplied by petrochemical companies has decreased compared to usual, while the share supplied by hydrogen reforming producers has increased slightly (by 3%, or approximately 2 tons).

In addition, participating companies will share supply and demand trends, including developments in feedstock supply sources related to the situation in the Middle East, current production levels, and potential additional output, and will actively cooperate in securing alternative volumes in the event of supply disruptions.

Deputy Minister Oh Il-young stated, “Hydrogen suppliers should do their utmost to ensure a stable supply of hydrogen for transportation so that the public experiences no inconvenience in using hydrogen vehicles, such as hydrogen buses, despite the impact of the situation in the Middle East on energy supply and demand, and hydrogen refueling station operators should strive to stabilize hydrogen prices.”

For further information, please contact the Public Relations Division. 

Contact person: Gina Lee, foreign media spokesperson

Phone: +82-44-201-6055

Email: gcjgina @gmail.com