South Korean Island Plans to Convert Food Waste Into Hydrogen Fuel

The Ministry of Environment is in discussions with Jeju provincial authorities to designate the island as the primary candidate for a new clean hydrogen production facility operating on biogas. (Image courtesy of Jeju Province)

JEJU, Nov. 1 (Korea Bizwire) – Jeju Island, South Korea’s popular tourist destination, is advancing an ambitious plan to transform food waste into hydrogen fuel, marking a significant step in the nation’s renewable energy initiatives. 

The Ministry of Environment is in discussions with Jeju provincial authorities to designate the island as the primary candidate for a new clean hydrogen production facility operating on biogas, according to an announcement made by Jeju officials on October 31. 

A provincial spokesperson indicated that while the ministry will soon open a public bidding process for the facility’s location, Jeju is expected to be the sole applicant, with a final decision anticipated by year’s end.

The planned facility would be constructed adjacent to Jeju’s Regional Food Waste Resource Recovery Facility in Saekdal-dong, Seogwipo. The project aims to utilize methane gas produced from food waste processing as the primary feedstock for hydrogen production. 

The existing waste recovery facility currently processes 200-220 tons of food waste daily, using 60-70% of the resulting methane for its own power generation and deodorization processes.

The new hydrogen facility would harness the remaining 30-40% of methane to produce approximately 500 kilograms of bio-hydrogen daily, which would be used to fuel hydrogen-powered vehicles. 

In a parallel development, Jeju authorities announced plans to establish a Resource Recycling Industrial Complex in Gujwa-eup, Jeju City, by 2028. This facility will focus on recycling used electric vehicle batteries, solar panels, and transparent PET bottles. 

Kang Ae-sook, director of Jeju’s Climate and Environment Bureau, noted that President Yoon Suk Yeol had pledged strong support for both the hydrogen production facility and the recycling cluster during a public forum on October 15.

“We will work closely with relevant departments to maintain our leadership in resource recycling,” she said.

M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)