Taiwan's First Hydrogen Refueling Station Opens in Kaohsiung
Taiwan has opened its first commercial hydrogen fueling station in Kaohsiung, a step toward its 2050 net-zero emissions goal. The station will serve heavy commercial vehicles as the country expands its hydrogen infrastructure. But experts warn that high costs, limited infrastructure and geographic constraints remain key challenges.
Taiwan Unveils Its First Commercial Hydrogen Fueling Station
REPORTER:
Taiwan’s first commercial hydrogen fueling station has opened in Kaohsiung, in the south of the country.
The facility was jointly built by CPC Corporation, the state-owned energy company, and Linde LienHwa, a major industrial gas supplier, as the country continues to expand its new energy capabilities.
Interviewee/speech
It not only marks CPC Corporation’s first step
in transforming its gas stations into hydrogen refueling sites
but also represents an important milestone
in the development of new energy in Taiwan.
REPORTER:
The expansion of Taiwan’s hydrogen ecosystem is part of a push towards the country’s goal for net zero emissions by 2050.
Stations like this one are built to serve hydrogen-powered vehicles — from the cars you and I drive to heavy-duty trucks and city buses.
The infrastructure will first focus on heavy commercial vehicles, with more stations to come as hydrogen starts to take off in Taiwan.
Interviewee
In the future there may be some standalone stations
in central or northern Taiwan.
Another possibility being considered is
to build fixed stations at certain highway rest areas.
REPORTER:
Other efforts are underway to achieve the country’s net-zero goal, with hydrogen as a key element. But experts say big challenges remain, with cost and scale still major concerns.
Interviewee
Taiwan’s hydrogen industry currently faces
three major challenges.
First, infrastructure is still insufficient.
Second, producing green hydrogen domestically is costly
due to the high price of renewable energy
which makes our green hydrogen expensive.
Third, there are market and geographical limitations.
REPORTER:
With this global refueling business market projected to reach 1.8 billion US dollars by 2030, stations like this are set to help Taiwan’s green energy transition to gas up and go.
Joseph Wu, Scott Huang, and Ai Chi in Kaohsiung for TaiwanPlus.
