Plans for a large-scale green hydrogen complex at Saemangeum in South Korea have been announced following a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Korea South-East Power (KOEN) and the Saemangeum Development Agency.
The agreement covers the proposed development of an integrated facility combining solar power generation, green hydrogen production and hydrogen-fired electricity output at a single site in Buan, North Jeolla Province.
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The proposal outlines a site covering approximately 10.1km², with plans for 1GW of onshore solar capacity, a 320MW water electrolysis installation and 100MW of hydrogen-only power generation.
KOEN and the Saemangeum Development Agency described this as South Korea’s first integrated demonstration of solar power, hydrogen production via electrolysis and electricity generation from hydrogen at commercial scale.
A central feature of the project is a power-to-gas-to-power (P2G2P) system. Solar-generated electricity would drive electrolysis equipment, which in turn would produce green hydrogen for storage.
This hydrogen could then be converted back to electricity in a dedicated turbine when additional power is required or when grid demand increases.
According to KOEN, bringing all three stages together could help absorb surplus renewable energy, allow for dispatchable clean electricity production and avoid curtailment when generation exceeds grid capacity.
The development is still in its early stages, with the MoU marking an intent to proceed rather than a final investment commitment.
KOEN is in discussions with several businesses about forming a special-purpose company and is working to secure supply chains for equipment needed for the project.
The Saemangeum Development Agency will provide land, help streamline permitting processes and work to facilitate regional acceptance.
KOEN will focus on the detailed business model and plans to share economic benefits locally. A consultative group is being set up to advance the initiative.
Saemangeum is already home to hydrogen-related developments including an operating commercial water-electrolysis plant and planned investments by Hyundai Motor Group in hydrogen and technology in the region.
The newly proposed KOEN project, with 320MW of electrolysis, would be significantly larger than current facilities.
KOEN aims to connect the project to South Korea’s clean-hydrogen electricity market, where clean hydrogen power procurement for 2026 has been set at 500GW-hours.
Electricity produced from stored hydrogen could be eligible for long-term supply contracts, which KOEN sees as an important factor given the additional costs and inefficiencies involved in converting electricity to hydrogen and back again compared to direct grid supply.
