HONG KONG, May 18, 2026 – Hong Kong has taken a major step towards building a regional hydrogen economy following the signing of a landmark multi-party agreement led by Hyundai Motor Group to develop a comprehensive hydrogen ecosystem in the city by 2030.
The agreement, signed during the International Hydrogen Development Symposium 2026 in Hong Kong, brings together nine companies from Korea, mainland China, France and Hong Kong across the hydrogen, infrastructure, utilities, transport and engineering sectors.
The collaboration is aimed at establishing an end-to-end hydrogen value chain spanning production, storage, transportation, refuelling infrastructure and hydrogen-powered mobility solutions.
Among the most significant components of the initiative is the planned development of waste-to-hydrogen technologies capable of converting landfill gas into clean energy, alongside pilot liquefied hydrogen refuelling infrastructure and the deployment of hydrogen fuel cell commercial vehicles including airport shuttle buses and tourism transport fleets.
The initiative positions Hong Kong more aggressively within Asia’s emerging hydrogen economy while also reinforcing the city’s ambitions under its Climate Action Plan 2050 and broader carbon neutrality objectives.
Hydrogen Emerging as Strategic Energy Transition Pillar in Asia
The agreement reflects the growing strategic importance of hydrogen across Asia-Pacific as governments and industries search for scalable decarbonisation pathways for hard-to-abate sectors including heavy transport, industrial operations and urban infrastructure.
The collaboration is being spearheaded by Hyundai Motor Group, one of the world’s most active industrial investors in hydrogen fuel cell technologies and hydrogen-powered mobility systems.
Executive Vice President and Head of Energy & Hydrogen Policy Sub-Division at Hyundai Motor Group, Seung Kyu-shin, said the initiative aligns with Hong Kong’s increasingly proactive hydrogen strategy.
“This MOU was signed as Hyundai Motor Group’s commitment to advancing Hong Kong’s proactive hydrogen policies and driving the acceleration of its hydrogen ecosystem utilising the Group’s hydrogen business capability and experience,” he said.
“Starting with Hong Kong, we look forward to expanding our collaboration and business opportunities across the broader Asia-Pacific hydrogen market.”
The initiative also highlights the growing role of cross-border public-private partnerships in accelerating clean energy deployment and low-carbon infrastructure development across Asia.
Invest Hong Kong has been supporting the participating companies in implementing market entry and expansion strategies aligned with Hong Kong’s hydrogen ecosystem ambitions.
The agreement was officiated by senior officials from both the Hong Kong and South Korean governments, underlining the strategic and geopolitical significance of hydrogen cooperation between regional economies.
Waste-to-Hydrogen and Hydrogen Mobility Gain Momentum
A notable aspect of the initiative is its emphasis on waste-to-hydrogen technologies, which are increasingly attracting interest globally as cities seek circular economy solutions that combine waste management with clean energy generation.
Under the collaboration, landfill gas will be explored as a feedstock for hydrogen production, potentially allowing Hong Kong to integrate waste reduction and emissions mitigation strategies within a broader low-carbon urban framework.
The partnership also plans to develop liquefied hydrogen refuelling infrastructure and deploy customised hydrogen fuel cell commercial vehicles across public transport and tourism applications.
Industry observers increasingly view hydrogen as particularly relevant for heavy-duty and commercial transport segments where battery-electric solutions may face limitations related to range, charging infrastructure or operational intensity.
The agreement involves a broad consortium of companies spanning different parts of the hydrogen ecosystem, including Hyundai Engineering & Construction, China Inspection Co Ltd, Templewater Limited, The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited and Veolia Hong Kong Holding Limited, among others.
The diversity of participating partners reflects the increasingly interconnected nature of hydrogen ecosystems, where utilities, infrastructure developers, mobility operators and technology providers must coordinate simultaneously to enable commercial viability.
Hong Kong Expands Hydrogen Ambitions Within Greater Bay Area Strategy
The partnership also aligns with Hong Kong’s broader decarbonisation and regional integration strategy within the Greater Bay Area.
According to the Hong Kong government, more than 30 hydrogen-related pilot projects have already been approved across the city as policymakers accelerate efforts to build technical expertise, regulatory frameworks and infrastructure readiness.
The Chief Executive’s 2025 Policy Address also outlined plans for public hydrogen refuelling facilities on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon, while advancing development of a Greater Bay Area Hydrogen Corridor in partnership with Guangdong Province.
Acting Secretary for Environment and Ecology Diane Wong said Hong Kong could serve as a valuable urban testing ground for advanced hydrogen and low-carbon technologies.
“By combining Korea’s world-class technological capabilities with Hong Kong’s strategic urban context, Hong Kong could serve as an exceptional international demonstration platform for showcasing green and low-carbon technologies,” Wong said.
Alpha Lau, Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong, said the latest agreement signals growing momentum around Hong Kong’s hydrogen ecosystem and broader green economy ambitions.
“Today’s multi-party signing is both a landmark moment for Hong Kong’s green economy and a clear signal that the city’s hydrogen ecosystem is gaining real traction,” Lau said.
Hydrogen is increasingly emerging as a major strategic focus area across Asia-Pacific, with countries including Japan, South Korea, China, Singapore and Australia all accelerating investments into hydrogen production, transport infrastructure and industrial applications as part of broader energy transition and industrial competitiveness strategies.
The Hong Kong initiative adds further momentum to the region’s evolving hydrogen economy while positioning the city as a potential regional platform for hydrogen mobility, infrastructure deployment and low-carbon urban innovation.