Taean, South Korea - Chungcheongnam-do Province has announced its plan to build a "Carbon Capture Hydrogen Production Base" in Taean, a region undergoing the phase-out of its coal-fired power plants starting this year.

On April 23rd, the province, represented by Vice Governor for Political Affairs Jeon Hyung-sik, signed a multilateral business agreement with Taean County Mayor Ga Se-ro, Korea Gas Technology Corporation Headquarters Director Song Min-ho, Mirae & Seohae Energy CEO Song Min-seop, Wonil T&I CEO Lee Jeong-bin, and JPL Engineering CEO Park Gwang-si. The agreement outlines a collaborative effort to establish the hydrogen production facility by 2028, with a total investment of 17 billion KRW (approximately 12.5 million USD).

The Taean Carbon Capture Hydrogen Production Base is a strategic initiative to foster alternative industries in the face of coal-fired power plant closures and to achieve carbon neutrality through a transition to clean energy. The facility will be located in Inpyeong-ri, Taean-eup, spanning an area of 12,397 square meters.

The primary function of the base will be to produce approximately 1 ton of blue hydrogen per day, totaling around 360 tons annually, by reforming natural gas. This hydrogen will be supplied to fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) and other hydrogen-powered applications within the Taean region. To put this into perspective, 360 tons of hydrogen can fully charge approximately 60,000 hydrogen-powered cars (assuming an average consumption of 6 kg per charge).

Looking ahead, the province envisions a phased expansion of the project, with plans to increase hydrogen production capacity to 2 tons per day in conjunction with the development of a hydrogen city in Taean.

A key feature of the Taean Carbon Capture Hydrogen Production Base is its commitment to environmental sustainability. The facility will capture over 95% of the carbon dioxide emitted during the natural gas reforming process. This captured CO2 will then be utilized to produce high-purity calcium carbonate, a valuable resource that can be supplied to plastic processing companies and potentially other industries. This carbon capture and utilization (CCU) approach transforms a byproduct into a valuable commodity, aligning with circular economy principles.

The Chungcheongnam-do Provincial Government anticipates several significant benefits from the operation of the Taean Carbon Capture Hydrogen Production Base. These include:

Supporting Carbon Neutrality and Securing New Growth Engines: Facilitating the transition to hydrogen energy will contribute to the province's carbon neutrality goals and establish a foundation for new economic opportunities in the clean energy sector.
Synergies with Taean Hydrogen City Development: The hydrogen production base will provide crucial infrastructure for the planned hydrogen city, enabling the deployment of hydrogen refueling stations and promoting the adoption of hydrogen mobility.
Reducing Fossil Fuel Dependence and Air Pollution: By promoting the use of hydrogen-powered vehicles and other applications, the project aims to decrease reliance on fossil fuels and mitigate the emission of harmful air pollutants.
Boosting Local Economy and Creating Jobs: The construction and operation of the facility will stimulate economic activity in the Taean region and generate new employment opportunities.
The signed business agreement formalizes the commitment of the participating organizations and companies to actively collaborate on all aspects of the project, from the construction of the hydrogen production base to the production, capture, transportation, and utilization of hydrogen and carbon.

The Korea Gas Technology Corporation, a leading energy public institution in the domestic hydrogen industry, will oversee the overall implementation of the project. Chungcheongnam-do Province and Taean County will provide comprehensive administrative support to ensure the smooth progress of the initiative.

Wonil T&I, a specialized hydrogen company, will be responsible for establishing the hydrogen extraction and compression facilities. JPL Engineering will handle the construction of the carbon capture and resource utilization facilities, leveraging its domestically developed CO2 capture technology and expertise in the carbon compound market.

Mirae & Seohae Energy, the regional gas supplier for Taean, will focus on installing and managing the urban gas infrastructure necessary for the stable supply of natural gas to the hydrogen production base.

During the signing ceremony, Vice Governor Jeon Hyung-sik emphasized the strategic importance of the project, stating, "Creating a clean hydrogen ecosystem is an essential element of the energy transition towards achieving carbon neutrality. Through this project, we aim to position Taean, a region transitioning away from coal-fired power generation, as a central hub for the hydrogen industry."

As of January, Chungcheongnam-do Province hosts 29 of the 61 operational coal-fired power plants in South Korea. The Taean Unit 1 is scheduled for decommissioning this year, marking a significant step in the region's energy transition. The establishment of the Carbon Capture Hydrogen Production Base signifies a proactive approach to building a sustainable and economically viable future for Taean in the post-coal era.