Korea May Have to Import Hydrogen from UAE
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is accelerating its hydrogen economy development by utilizing the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, which was built by South Korean companies, whereas the South Korean government is not planning on nuclear power-based hydrogen production.
“We are considering utilizing nuclear power for the purpose of hydrogen production,” the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corp. recently said, adding, “One million tons of hydrogen a year can be produced from the four Barakah Nuclear Power Plant units with a combined capacity of 5.6 GW.”
The Barakah Nuclear Power Plant was built by South Korean companies, including Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power. The first and second units are already in operation and the rest will be put into operation in the near future. The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corp. is working with Électricité de France, which is running 58 nuclear power plants, as well so that more hydrogen can be produced from nuclear power, and it can account for at least 25 percent of the global clean hydrogen market in 2030.
On the other hand, the South Korean government is still objecting to nuclear power-based hydrogen production in South Korea. “In the future, South Korea may have to import hydrogen the UAE produces at the nuclear power plant build by South Korea,” an industry insider pointed out.