Korea South-East Power and the Saemangeum Development Agency have signed an MoU to develop a 1 GW solar-powered green hydrogen complex in Saemangeum, South Korea. The project will integrate solar generation, electrolysis, hydrogen storage and hydrogen-fired power generation.
Korea South-East Power (KOEN) and the Saemangeum Development Agency have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop a large-scale green hydrogen complex in Saemangeum, South Korea. The proposed project will integrate solar power generation, green hydrogen production and hydrogen-fired power generation in Buan, North Jeolla Province.
The project is planned to include 1 GW of onshore solar capacity, 320 MW of water electrolysis capacity and 100 MW of hydrogen-only power generation. It will feature a power-to-gas-to-power system, using electricity generated from solar projects to produce green hydrogen, which can subsequently be stored and reconverted into electricity when required.
KOEN aims to connect the project to South Korea’s clean-hydrogen electricity market, which has set clean-hydrogen power procurement at 500 GWh for 2026. The proposed integrated configuration is expected to support renewable energy utilisation while providing a dispatchable source of clean electricity.
The project reflects South Korea’s growing focus on integrating renewable power, hydrogen production and flexible electricity generation. Large-scale green hydrogen facilities can help utilise surplus renewable electricity while providing an alternative pathway for storing and delivering clean energy.
The development also builds on South Korea’s expanding green hydrogen infrastructure. In March 2026, Samsung C&T’s Engineering & Construction (E&C) Group completed an off-grid green hydrogen production facility in Gimcheon, South Korea.
The Gimcheon facility uses renewable electricity generated from an 8.3 MW solar installation to power a 10 MW water electrolysis system. It is capable of producing approximately 0.6 tonnes of green hydrogen per day, equivalent to more than 230 tonnes annually.
Together, the Saemangeum proposal and recent green hydrogen developments highlight the increasing integration of solar generation and electrolysis infrastructure in South Korea. As the country develops its clean-hydrogen market, large-scale projects combining renewable power, hydrogen production and hydrogen-fired generation could become an important component of its future low-carbon energy system.
