The Korea Gas Corporation, Korea Gas Safety Corporation, and the Hydrogen Convergence Alliance Promotion Team (H2KOREA), which were designated as the’Hydrogen Economy Dedicated Organization’ last year, are in full swing to play the role of a’guide’ in the public sector toward the hydrogen economy in the new year.
Following 2019, which was called the’first year of the hydrogen economy’ with the announcement of the ‘2019 Hydrogen Economy Revitalization Roadmap’, last year is evaluated as the year that laid the legal basis for the hydrogen economy by enacting the’Hydrogen Law’ and designating the’Hydrogen Economy Dedicated Organization’.
In January of last year, the’Hydrogen Economy Promotion and Hydrogen Safety Management Act (Hydrogen Act) passed the National Assembly, making Korea the first country to enact a systematic law to implement the hydrogen economy. This law takes effect on February 5th of the new year.
In July of last year, the government selected three agencies in charge of hydrogen economy, which are’Three Heads’ that will lead Korea’s hydrogen economy.
The main characters are Korea Gas Corporation, which was selected as an agency in charge of hydrogen distribution, Korea Gas Safety Corporation, which was selected as an agency in charge of hydrogen safety, and H2KOREA, which was selected as an agency in charge of promoting the hydrogen industry.
Each of the three organizations focused on laying the groundwork for leading the hydrogen economy, such as receiving a new head or establishing a new organization.
In June of last year, the KOGAS announced that it will be reborn from a’fossil fuel-based resource development company’ to a’green hydrogen company’ at the 37th anniversary ceremony of the founding of Gajin Corporation.
CEO Chae Hee-bong of the Gas Corporation declared the’second start-up’ and expressed his ambition, “We will transform into a leading hydrogen company by expanding investment in hydrogen business such as producing green hydrogen, securing hydrogen liquefaction and transportation technology, and introducing overseas hydrogen.”
In cooperation with Korea Expressway Corporation, by 2025, KOGAS will install 30 hydrogen and liquefied natural gas (LNG) complex charging stations at major logistics bases nationwide by 2025, and build a base hydrogen production base in Changwon, Gwangju and Gyeongnam by 2022. It plans to work hard to build hydrogen production and supply infrastructure, such as producing hydrogen from 2008.
Gas Safety Corporation also strengthened its status as a’hydrogen safety control tower’ with President Hae-jong Lim, who took office in September last year.
In December 2019, the Korea Gas Safety Corporation established the first hydrogen safety organization, the Hydrogen Safety Center, and plans to expand and reorganize the center to the’Hydrogen Safety Technology Institute’ from January 1 of the new year.
President Lim Hae-jong said, “We will build a hydrogen safety infrastructure with a sense of speed in preparation for the era of hydrogen economy.”
H2KOREA also welcomed the second head of the promotion team Kim Seong-bok in October last year.
Director Kim said, “If it was the time to establish the foundation for the domestic hydrogen economy for three years after the launch of H2KOREA in 2016, the next three to four years will be a golden time for revitalization.” During the tenure, we will build a hydrogen economy ecosystem and focus all our capabilities on fostering specialized companies. I will.”
H2KOREA plans to support the development of a total of 1000 hydrogen specialized companies by 2040 to create a hydrogen economy ecosystem.
In addition, it will play a’bridge role’ to connect the hydrogen-related government, the National Assembly, and industry, academia, and research institutes, while strengthening international cooperation to preoccupy the global hydrogen economy market.
The three agencies in charge of hydrogen economy play a full-fledged role at the same time as the enforcement of the hydrogen law in February of the new year.
H2KOREA plays a central role in fostering human resources in the hydrogen industry, standardization, research and development, and international cooperation in accordance with Article 33 of the Hydrogen Act.
In accordance with Article 34 of the Hydrogen Act, KOGAS conducts hydrogen supply and demand management, distribution and transaction, and maintenance of appropriate prices.
In accordance with Article 35 of the Hydrogen Act, the Gas Safety Corporation will be in charge of tasks such as safety, education, and technology development for hydrogen products and facilities.
Kim Cheol-hoon, Global Economic Reporter [email protected]