Kim Young-rok, the Democratic Party of Korea’s candidate for Jeonnam governor, said that he would promote a “hydrogen industrial mecca” centered on Yeosu and Gwangyang.
“We will construct a hydrogen industry convergence platform in the Gwangyang Bay area focused on Yeosu and Gwangyang, and develop Jeonnam as a hydrogen industry mecca,” stated candidate Kim in a press release the same day.
It expects to invest 6.6 trillion won in overall project expenditures from next year to 2030, including 6.25 trillion won in private investment, 230 billion won in national expenses, and 20 billion won in local expenses.
As the hydrogen industry convergence platform in the Gwangyang Bay area, Candidate Kim chose an LNG hub terminal, a large-scale blue hydrogen production complex, a hydrogen port terminal, and a hydrogen pipeline network.
Gwangyang, in particular, is being planned as a hydrogen metropolis.
Starting with the hydrogen production base, an LNG hub port and a large-scale blue hydrogen production complex (equal to 77,000 tons of output yearly) will be erected near Myodo in Yeosu.
Furthermore, at Myodo, a 200MW hydrogen fuel cell power plant will be developed to produce and provide hydrogen fuel cells as well as heat.
In addition, a hydrogen-only port terminal and hydrogen pipeline network will be built in the Yeosu and Gwangyang port areas to serve as a foundation for hydrogen storage and transportation.
Candidate Kim also stated that he would encourage feasibility studies between local governments and businesses in order to strengthen the economic base.
In addition, in Gwangyang-eup and Jungma-dong, Gwangyang-si, a large-scale hydrogen city based on hydrogen supply infrastructure will be created in public housing and commercial facilities.
Candidate Kim noted that by making such a pledge, it will be feasible to lead the decarbonization of industrial complexes in the Gwangyang Bay area, laying the groundwork for the future clean energy hydrogen industry ecosystem.
“The Gwangyang Bay Area, where 634 firms have come in, including Yeosu and Gwangyang National Industrial Complexes and Yulchon Industrial Complex, is a vital industrial complex that accounts for 87 percent of Jeonnam’s total production and 9% of national production,” candidate Kim stated. “The industrial complex requires restructuring since phosphorous steel and petrochemical firms are concentrated,” he highlighted the foundation of the pledge idea.
“Through the creation of a hydrogen industry convergence platform in the Gwangyang Bay area, we will build a ‘zero-carbon industrial environment,” he stated.
