Samsung to build infrastructure for first hydrogen compound

[Courtesy of Samsung C&T Corp.]

South Korea’s Samsung C&T Corp. is poised to build the infrastructure for the first hydrogen compound blending power generation in the country.

The company’s construction division announced on Monday that it signed a 140 billion won ($103.39 million) contract with Korea Southern Power Co. (KOSPO) to construct infrastructure capable of storing, loading, and transporting hydrogen compounds in Samcheok, Gangwon Province.

This is the first project in Korea to build infrastructure for storing hydrogen compounds, including storage tanks, according to the company.

Hydrogen compound blending power generation refers to a power generation method that produces electricity by combusting two or more types of fuel mixed together.

This project involves constructing a 30,000-ton tank for KOSPO to compress and store hydrogen compounds for power generation, as well as loading and distribution facilities, at Samcheok Comprehensive Power Generation Complex. The project is expected to be completed in July 2027, with Samsung C&T executing the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) as the sole contractor.

“We successfully won the project based on our experience in constructing energy storage facilities in global markets such as Qatar and our internationally certified technology for the world‘s largest storage tank design, which we secured in collaboration with Whessoe Engineering Ltd., a leading energy storage facility specialist in the United Kingdom,” Samsung C&T said.

Samsung C&T will apply a double-walled, fully enclosed storage tank structure instead of single-walled ones to the hydrogen compound storage facility for the first time in the country to maximize safety. The company will also implement advanced detection and shutdown systems alongside real-time environmental substance monitoring systems.

KOSPO plans to promote blended power generation, where coal and carbon-free fuel such as hydrogen compounds are mixed and combusted, at its existing coal-fired power plants once the project is completed. The electricity provider expects this project to result in an annual reduction of 1.1 million tons of greenhouse gases.

“Based on our EPC performance secured through this project, we will participate in various renewable energy projects at home and abroad moving forward,” Lee Byung-soo, vice president and head of energy solutions business at Samsung C&T, said.