Hyundai Motor Group has announced a major strategic investment of nearly KRW 9 trillion to develop a large innovation hub in the Saemangeum region of Gunsan City in South Korea. The project, which will begin in 2026, reflects the company’s long-term plan to support the global shift toward sustainable energy and advanced technologies. The development will focus on several future-oriented sectors, including renewable energy, hydrogen production, robotics, and artificial intelligence. However, the most important element of the project will be the creation of a strong ecosystem for hydrogen and solar energy.
A key objective of the Saemangeum initiative is to accelerate South Korea’s hydrogen economy. Hyundai plans to invest around KRW 1 trillion to build a large Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) electrolyzer manufacturing plant. The facility will play a crucial role in producing green hydrogen on a large scale. The hydrogen will be generated using renewable resources available in the region, supporting the country’s efforts to achieve energy independence and reduce carbon emissions. By producing hydrogen locally, Hyundai also aims to support the growing demand for clean fuel in next-generation transportation systems.
The hydrogen produced at the facility is expected to be used in various mobility solutions such as hydrogen-powered buses, trams, and other demand-responsive transport systems. The project will also focus on building a complete hydrogen ecosystem that includes production, storage, and distribution infrastructure. Through this initiative, Hyundai aims to achieve a domestic electrolyzer capacity of about 1 gigawatt in the coming years.
Alongside hydrogen development, Hyundai Motor Group will also invest heavily in solar energy infrastructure. The company has allocated about KRW 1.3 trillion for solar power development in the Saemangeum region. The goal is to establish gigawatt-scale solar capacity by 2035, which will provide clean and reliable electricity to support the company’s operations, including energy-intensive facilities such as artificial intelligence data centers. This effort is part of Hyundai’s global RE100 commitment to run all of its operations using 100 percent renewable energy.
The combination of hydrogen production and solar power will support the development of what Hyundai describes as an AI Hydrogen Smart City. In this model, locally produced hydrogen will help power a sustainable urban ecosystem. Solar-generated electricity will be used to produce hydrogen, creating a closed energy system that supports carbon-neutral living. The project is expected to generate significant economic benefits, with an estimated economic impact of around KRW 16 trillion and the creation of nearly 71,000 jobs, while strengthening South Korea’s position in the global renewable energy sector.
Discover more from SolarQuarter
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
