KHNP participates in Australian green cement project

Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. (KHNP) will participate in the South Australia green cement transition project, which aims to produce green hydrogen to contribute to carbon neutrality in the cement industry.

In relation to this, the state-run company signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) and a hydrogen business cooperation statement with the Department for Energy and Mining of the Government of South Australia on Tuesday for the production of green hydrogen for manufacturing green cement.

The signing ceremony was attended by representatives from the Government of South Australia, Elecseed, and Hallett Group.

Elecseed is a renewable and green hydrogen project development company based in Australia, while Hallett Group is a manufacturer of construction materials, including cement. The latter company has received approximately $13.1 million in funding from the central government to carry out the green cement transition project.

Conventional cement production involves the use of fossil fuels such as coal or waste materials, resulting in significant carbon emissions. Meanwhile, green cement is produced using hydrogen generated from solar power plants and electrolysis facilities. This process dramatically reduces carbon emissions, and any excess hydrogen can be sold to nearby hydrogen refueling stations.

Under the agreement, these companies will establish a collaborative relationship for the production and trading of hydrogen and related products, with plans to nurture a globally competitive hydrogen export industry. They have agreed to activate the future hydrogen industry in the South Australia region and develop the domestic hydrogen market in Australia in the short run.

Furthermore, they have committed to actively cooperating in the production of green hydrogen within South Australia, including conducting a joint feasibility study for supplying green hydrogen to the South Australia green cement transition project.

Write to Sul-Gi Lee at surugi@hankyung.com