Global Economic Times

Hyundai Motor Group to Launch ‘RH’ Project in Saemangeum: A Multi-Billion Dollar Leap into Robotics and Hydrogen: KO YONG-CHUL Reporter / Updated : 2026-02-23 19:52:39

SEOUL — Hyundai Motor Group (HMG), under the leadership of Executive Chair Euisun Chung, is set to transform the Saemangeum reclaimed area into a global hub for future mobility. The group confirmed the launch of the "RH Project"—named after Robotics and Hydrogen—a massive domestic investment aimed at securing leadership in the next-generation industrial landscape.

According to industry sources on February 23, 2026, HMG will sign a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on February 27 with the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and the North Jeolla Provincial Government. The project involves an estimated investment of 10 trillion KRW over the next five years.

The Synergy of "Physical AI" and Clean Energy The core of the RH Project is the integration of "Physical AI"—AI that interacts with the real world through robotics—with a sustainable hydrogen value chain. HMG plans to build large-scale AI data centers and specialized robot manufacturing facilities in Saemangeum. By utilizing the region's vast capacity for solar and wind power, HMG aims to power these energy-intensive facilities with 100% renewable energy.

A Hub for Green Hydrogen A centerpiece of the plan is the construction of a 1GW PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane) water electrolysis plant. Unlike traditional hydrogen production that relies on fossil fuels, the Saemangeum site will utilize abundant local renewable energy to produce "Green Hydrogen." This creates a closed-loop eco-friendly system, from power generation to hydrogen output and distribution.

Strategic Domestic Expansion This move follows HMG’s earlier announcement of a 125.2 trillion KRW domestic investment blueprint, signaling a commitment to local job creation and balanced regional development. "The RH Project is the first concrete manifestation of our vision to lead the robotics and hydrogen markets simultaneously," said an industry official. "By combining AI infrastructure with renewable energy, we are building a blueprint for the factories of the future."