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[Alpha Biz=(Chicago) Reporter Kim Jisun] The failure of hydrogen production facilities at Hyundai Steel's Dangjin Steel Mill has led to a series of hydrogen supply and demand disruptions around the Seoul metropolitan area for nearly a week.
Lee Ho-hyun, head of the Energy Policy Division at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, visited Incheon International Airport T1 Hydrogen Charging Station and Yongin Everland Hydrogen Charging Station on the 26th to check the supply and demand situation, including the warehousing status of hydrogen tube trailers.
The supply and demand disruption occurred on the 20th when the maintenance period was delayed than planned due to some facility failures at Hyundai Steel's Dangjin Steel Mill. The failure of facilities has reduced the number of "byproducts" that come out as by-products in the production of steel and petrochemical products. Bionic hydrogen from Hyundai Steel's Dangjin Steel Mill is responsible for 20 to 30 percent of the supply of hydrogen for transportation in the central part of the country, including the Seoul metropolitan area.
Due to a lack of supplies due to the failure of Hyundai Steel's facilities, 12 hydrogen charging stations in the Seoul metropolitan area, two in Gangwon Province and nine in Chungcheong Province have been shortened since the 21st. For this reason, vehicles flocked to each charging station that opened, and charging occurred after waiting for hours.
Experts pointed out that supply does not keep up with the pace at which hydrogen demand is increasing. Hydrogen charging stations are also lacking. As of October, the number of hydrogen cars registered across the country reached 33,000, but there are 159 hydrogen charging stations, with only 255 chargers installed here.
On top of that, there are concerns that the hydrogen car market could shrink further as hydrogen prices rise steeply. The average selling price of hydrogen stations, which stood at 8,359 won per kilogram in April last year, rose to 9,706 won as of the 26th of this month.
AlphaBIZ 김지선(stockmk2020@alphabiz.co.kr)
