Korea's Energy Transition: Embracing Hydrogen for a Sustainable Future
Key Ideas
- Hydrogen is pivotal in Korea's energy transition, aiming to increase hydrogen and ammonia power generation to 5.5% by 2038, along with solar and wind power.
- Organic cooperation with various countries and companies is crucial for Korea to secure competitiveness in the hydrogen field and achieve economic feasibility.
- Besides hydrogen, a focus on offshore wind power and solar energy is essential to balance the energy mix and strengthen energy security competitiveness.
- Requests to the government include the enactment of special acts to support infrastructure expansion, particularly in ocean wind power, and the establishment of additional transmission networks.
The CEO of Siemens Energy Korea, Hong Seong-ho, highlighted the importance of hydrogen in Korea's energy transition to reduce carbon emissions. The government plans to increase hydrogen and ammonia power generation to 5.5% by 2038, aligning with global sustainability goals. Hong emphasized the need for infrastructure development and international cooperation for hydrogen's economic viability. Korea's push for clean hydrogen power and bidding for hydrogen imports reflect its commitment to sustainable energy sources.
In addition to hydrogen, Hong stressed the significance of offshore wind power and solar energy to balance the energy mix and enhance energy security. He called for policy support, such as a special act on ocean wind power, to accelerate renewable energy supply. The discussion also highlighted the need for diversified supply chains and competitive ecosystem in the offshore wind industry.
The interview included requests to the government for infrastructure expansion, including a call for a special act on the expansion of national interim electricity networks to address power shortages and transmission network issues. The focus on sustainable energy solutions and the necessity of policy support to achieve renewable energy goals were central themes of the discussion, reflecting a positive sentiment towards hydrogen and renewable energy in Korea's energy sector.