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Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Hyundai Motor Group, and Korea Polar Research Institute to Join Forces to Expand Eco-friendly Power Generation at Antarctic Bases
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2026.06.23.
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Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Hyundai Motor Group, and Korea Polar Research Institute to Join Forces to Expand Eco-friendly Power Generation at Antarctic Bases
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF; Minister Hwang Jong-woo) announced that it signed an MOU to Construct a Green Hydrogen Grid at the Antarctic Scientific Research Station with the Hyundai Motor Group and the Korea Polar Research Institute on Thursday, June 18. The signing ceremony was attended by Minister Hwang Jong-woo of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Hyundai Motor Group President and Head of Strategic Planning Sung Kim, and Director Shin Hyung-chul of the Korea Polar Research Institute.
* The green hydrogen grid is a facility that enables the entire process—from extracting hydrogen from water and storing it to produce electricity using the stored hydrogen—to be carried out in an eco-friendly manner. It consists of the following: ▲ a water electrolyzer that separates hydrogen from water; ▲ a device that compresses and stores hydrogen; and ▲ a fuel cell generator that produces electricity from hydrogen.
The Antarctic scientific research station is currently equipped with a photovoltaic power generation facility but mainly uses diesel power generation, since sunlight is inconsistent. Particularly during the Antarctic winter season from March to October when sunlight is extremely scarce, solar power generation faces even greater difficulties.
Under this MOU, the construction of the green hydrogen grid at the Antarctic base incorporates the Hyundai Motor Group's advanced technology and expertise, which can then be used to run hydrogen generators during the winter season to obtain eco-friendly energy. The facility will be designed to suit the Antarctic environment; after approximately one year of manufacturing, it will undergo commissioning at the Antarctic scientific research base site. MOF and Korea Polar Research Institute plan to provide full administrative and technical support for the transportation and installation of the equipment in Antarctica.
This signing ceremony marks the third collaboration* between MOF and Hyundai Motor Group, and it is expected to serve as another benchmark case of government-private sector cooperation that creates mutually beneficial outcomes in environmental protection.
* MOU for Blue Carbon Cooperation including Tidal Flat Vegetation Restoration (2022, Kia), MOU for Blue Carbon Cooperation including Marine Forest Creation (2023, Hyundai Motor), MOU for Green Hydrogen Grid Construction at Antarctic Science Base (2026, Hyundai Motor Group)
“Establishing an eco-friendly hydrogen storage and power generation facility at the Antarctic research base—which is at the forefront of climate change—will be a significant turning point in demonstrating Korea’s commitment to environmental protection and sustainable use of Antarctica to the international community. We will continue to strive to earn the trust of the international community as a responsible nation in Antarctic activities,” Minister Hwang Jong-woo of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said.
- MOU signed on June 18 to Construct a Green Hydrogen Grid at the Antarctic Scientific Research Station
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF; Minister Hwang Jong-woo) announced that it signed an MOU to Construct a Green Hydrogen Grid at the Antarctic Scientific Research Station with the Hyundai Motor Group and the Korea Polar Research Institute on Thursday, June 18. The signing ceremony was attended by Minister Hwang Jong-woo of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Hyundai Motor Group President and Head of Strategic Planning Sung Kim, and Director Shin Hyung-chul of the Korea Polar Research Institute.
* The green hydrogen grid is a facility that enables the entire process—from extracting hydrogen from water and storing it to produce electricity using the stored hydrogen—to be carried out in an eco-friendly manner. It consists of the following: ▲ a water electrolyzer that separates hydrogen from water; ▲ a device that compresses and stores hydrogen; and ▲ a fuel cell generator that produces electricity from hydrogen.
The Antarctic scientific research station is currently equipped with a photovoltaic power generation facility but mainly uses diesel power generation, since sunlight is inconsistent. Particularly during the Antarctic winter season from March to October when sunlight is extremely scarce, solar power generation faces even greater difficulties.
Under this MOU, the construction of the green hydrogen grid at the Antarctic base incorporates the Hyundai Motor Group's advanced technology and expertise, which can then be used to run hydrogen generators during the winter season to obtain eco-friendly energy. The facility will be designed to suit the Antarctic environment; after approximately one year of manufacturing, it will undergo commissioning at the Antarctic scientific research base site. MOF and Korea Polar Research Institute plan to provide full administrative and technical support for the transportation and installation of the equipment in Antarctica.
This signing ceremony marks the third collaboration* between MOF and Hyundai Motor Group, and it is expected to serve as another benchmark case of government-private sector cooperation that creates mutually beneficial outcomes in environmental protection.
* MOU for Blue Carbon Cooperation including Tidal Flat Vegetation Restoration (2022, Kia), MOU for Blue Carbon Cooperation including Marine Forest Creation (2023, Hyundai Motor), MOU for Green Hydrogen Grid Construction at Antarctic Science Base (2026, Hyundai Motor Group)
“Establishing an eco-friendly hydrogen storage and power generation facility at the Antarctic research base—which is at the forefront of climate change—will be a significant turning point in demonstrating Korea’s commitment to environmental protection and sustainable use of Antarctica to the international community. We will continue to strive to earn the trust of the international community as a responsible nation in Antarctic activities,” Minister Hwang Jong-woo of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said.
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