Abdulaziz Al Shehri
JEJU, South Korea — In response to an invitation from South Korean government agencies, Okaz conducted a field visit to Jeju Island to explore the country’s leading efforts in clean energy and green hydrogen, amid expanding strategic cooperation between Saudi Arabia and South Korea in these vital sectors.
During the visit, Okaz toured advanced facilities dedicated to green hydrogen production using wind energy. These sites employ electrolysis technology to separate hydrogen from water, aiming to power public transportation with clean fuel and reduce emissions—a model that exemplifies global efforts toward sustainable energy transitions.
Jeju Island, located off the southern coast of the Korean Peninsula, stands out as a renewable energy hub, boasting ideal wind conditions, advanced infrastructure, and a pivotal role as a national testbed for smart energy innovation.
Designated by the South Korean government as a national pilot site for environmental and clean tech projects, Jeju’s diverse geography and relative isolation make it ideal for clearly assessing the environmental impact of renewable energy initiatives.
Saudi Arabia has shown particular interest in these efforts, as the Kingdom works to localize green hydrogen production through flagship projects like NEOM, with the goal of becoming a global center for renewable energy. Partnering with the Jeju model presents a strategic step toward accelerating this vision.
Bilateral relations between the two nations have witnessed significant progress in recent years, marked by a series of agreements and memorandums of understanding between major firms and institutions. These include joint initiatives in green hydrogen, renewable energy, and industrial nitrogen, addressing shared environmental challenges.
Among the key milestones is a memorandum of understanding signed by Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power and South Korea’s POSCO to jointly develop green hydrogen and its derivatives. The partnership also launched the “H2Oasis” initiative to boost technological and investment exchange between Riyadh and Seoul in clean energy fields.
