South Korea's New Low-Carbon Hydrogen Tender: A Gauge for Demand and Price Benchmark in Asia Pacific
Key Ideas
  • South Korea plans a 3,000 GWh low-carbon hydrogen-to-power tender in 2025, learning from the undersubscribed first tender, aiming to gauge demand and set a price benchmark in Asia Pacific.
  • The Clean Hydrogen Energy Portfolio Standards (CHPS) aims to boost low-carbon hydrogen production and use, with upcoming tenders allowing broader technologies like hydrogen from waste or biogas.
  • Industry members anticipate revisions in forex indexation, take-or-pay clauses, and 'clean' hydrogen definitions to ensure fairness and attract more participants in the upcoming tenders.
  • Price assessments show decreasing trends, with Platts evaluating Japan and US hydrogen prices via alkaline electrolysis down in April, reflecting a positive shift in cost dynamics.
South Korea is preparing for a significant step in the realm of low-carbon hydrogen with plans to launch a new 3,000 GWh tender in 2025. This initiative follows the previous tender which awarded only 750 GWh due to bidders' aversion to risks related to forex and delivery. The upcoming tender, under the Clean Hydrogen Energy Portfolio Standards (CHPS), is set to include a wider range of eligible technologies such as hydrogen from waste or biogas, aiming to attract more participants. To enhance the success of the tenders, industry members are anticipating changes in forex indexation, take-or-pay clauses, and even the definition of 'clean' hydrogen to ensure fairness and encourage greater participation. The current definition of 'clean' hydrogen, which allows production pathways emitting up to 4 kg of CO2 per 1 kg of hydrogen, is being scrutinized for its inclusivity of pathways with much lower emissions. In parallel, Platts assessments reveal a positive shift in hydrogen prices, with Japan and US hydrogen costs produced via alkaline electrolysis declining in April. This downward trend in prices can be seen as a favorable development in the cost dynamics of low-carbon hydrogen production. Overall, South Korea's move towards expanding its low-carbon hydrogen tender, coupled with industry expectations for improved tender design and pricing mechanisms, signifies a positive momentum in advancing the adoption of clean energy sources in the region.
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