Hyundai Motor Group is establishing a resource-circulating clean hydrogen production facility (W2H) in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, marking a significant step in developing a domestic eco-friendly hydrogen ecosystem.
On July 9, Hyundai Motor Group held an inauguration ceremony for 'HTWO ENERGY Cheongju,' attended by key figures including Seo Kang-hyun, head of planning and coordination at Hyundai Motor Group; Lee Ho-hyun, vice minister of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment; Shin Yong-han, governor of North Chungcheong Province; Lee Jang-seop, mayor of Cheongju; and Lee Kwang-hee, a member of the National Assembly.
Seo Kang-hyun stated, "'HTWO ENERGY Cheongju' is an example of a circular economy model based on 'local production and consumption' that converts local waste resources into clean hydrogen for local use. Hyundai Motor Group will actively contribute to establishing Cheongju as a leading inland hydrogen business city in South Korea and will expand this regional self-sufficient hydrogen production model to the global market."
HTWO ENERGY Cheongju is the first resource-circulating hydrogen production and charging complex directly operated by Hyundai Motor Group. It utilizes biogas extracted from sewage sludge waste generated in the Cheongju area to produce and supply clean hydrogen.
Hyundai Motor Group chose Cheongju as the first W2H hub, considering its geographical potential as a key logistics and distribution center for hydrogen, as well as its selection last year as a target for the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's 'Hydrogen City Development Project.' This project aims to systematically manage hydrogen infrastructure, promote hydrogen mobility, transition to an eco-friendly transportation system, and expand clean energy production.
HTWO ENERGY Cheongju is built on a 7,500 square meter site of a public sewage treatment plant. It includes facilities for removing hydrogen sulfide and moisture from biogas to refine it into high-quality biomethane, a hydrogen extraction facility that reacts steam with biomethane to produce hydrogen, a liquefied carbon dioxide production facility that recovers and refines carbon dioxide generated during hydrogen production, high-pressure and low-pressure compressors to compress the produced hydrogen to the required pressure, and storage containers for stable charging of the produced and compressed hydrogen. It also features a hydrogen charging station for refueling vehicles.
Additionally, the facility includes a Hydrogen Academy to introduce visitors and local residents to Hyundai Motor Group's hydrogen business brand 'HTWO' and the resource-circulating hydrogen ecosystem.
The facility has a daily hydrogen production capacity of approximately 500 kilograms, enough to fuel about 100 hydrogen fuel cell vehicles like the Nexo or around 30 hydrogen fuel cell buses.
Hyundai Motor Group plans to expand the daily hydrogen production capacity of HTWO ENERGY Cheongju to 2 tons by 2030. All hydrogen produced will be supplied to North Chungcheong Province and the Cheongju area, contributing to the region's transition to an eco-friendly energy system and achieving carbon neutrality.
Meanwhile, Hyundai Motor Group aims to accelerate the W2H project by collaborating with domestic and international companies, institutions, and local governments to build an energy self-sufficient ecosystem model. Domestically, it is establishing clean hydrogen production facilities based on biogas in Chungju, North Chungcheong Province, and Paju, Gyeonggi Province, while internationally, it is promoting hydrogen ecosystem projects in Indonesia and Hong Kong, designing and applying hydrogen solutions tailored to local markets.
Hyundai Motor Group will also participate in the '2026 New Energy Fair Osong' at the Osong Convention Center until July 10, showcasing 'HTWO ENERGY Cheongju' and various hydrogen technologies and applications, including the display of the all-new Nexo at its HTWO booth.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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