By Alexander Ahn

The Seoul municipal government said Tuesday that it will build 29 hydrogen fuel cell power plants by 2014 in order to prevent emergencies caused by massive power outages from other electricity sources.

The city additionally stated Friday that it is encouraging the participation of businesses and private capital to support the green energy construction policy.

“This hydrogen fuel cell project is expected to provide a good opportunity for Seoul to improve self-reliance in power supplying and promote the use of renewable energy,” city officials said.

The capital’s current use of hydrogen fuel cells is 5.2 megawatts. That figure will increase to 50 megawatts this year and to 82 megawatts next year.

It plans to further increase the figure to 98 megawatts in 2014, when the city will be able to supply hydrogen fuel cell-based energy to approximately 400,000 households.

Hydrogen fuel cells convert chemical energy from hydrogen into electricity through a reaction with oxygen in the air. They do not emit pollutants, leading to their use in various fields, including transport, power generation and even in homes.

The power plants, which will be scattered around the city, will provide a stable energy supply in case of power failures.