© Hyundai Motor Group
Hyundai Motor Group plans to build a 1GW green hydrogen plant in South Korea’s southwest as part of its ₩125.2tn ($86bn) domestic investment program, adding one of the country’s largest prospective hydrogen projects to its industrial portfolio.
Context Within South Korea’s Hydrogen Strategy
The move strengthens Hyundai’s push into hydrogen technologies, aligning the company with Seoul’s broader decarbonisation efforts and regional ambitions in Jeonnam, where authorities are seeking national funds for a separate 500MW electrolyser project that could expand to 1GW. The wider investment package also spans electric vehicles, autonomous systems and AI infrastructure, signalling a shift toward low-carbon and digital manufacturing.
Project Details And Regional Renewable Resources
Hyundai said the hydrogen plant will use proton exchange membrane electrolysers and draw on the “readily available supply of renewable energy” in the southwest, a region emerging as a major offshore wind hub. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy recently awarded 580MW of offshore wind capacity there, while the Global Wind Energy Council estimates long-term potential of more than 78GW in fixed-bottom installations and 546GW in floating capacity. The company also cited proximity to “nearby hydrogen shipment centres and refuelling stations” as an advantage.
Manufacturing Expansion And Uncertain Timelines
In parallel, Hyundai plans to build a manufacturing facility for PEM electrolysers and hydrogen fuel cell components to support a future export business. The company has not disclosed capital expenditure, commissioning dates or whether the investment relates to a PEM factory already under construction or an entirely new site. Hyundai has previously framed its broader ambitions as focused on building a “hydrogen ecosystem” and an “end-to-end hydrogen value chain”.
Industry Implications
If realised, Hyundai’s 1GW plant would become a significant asset in South Korea’s emerging green hydrogen sector, underpinning fuel cell mobility, industrial decarbonisation and early export capabilities. The absence of project timelines and cost details may limit near-term visibility, but the scale of the group’s domestic investment suggests hydrogen will remain central to its long-term industrial strategy.
