- Nel ASA secured a €135 million grant from the European Innovation Fund to industrialise its pressurised alkaline electrolyser technology in Herøya, Norway.
- The first phase targets an annual production capacity of 1-2 GW, with plans to expand to 4 GW if market demand and prototype tests prove successful.
Nel ASA received a €135 million grant from the European Innovation Fund to industrialise its new pressurised alkaline electrolyser technology. Currently in the prototype stage, the company will deploy this technology at its industrial facilities in Herøya, Norway.
The project will roll out in phases, with the first phase targeting an annual production capacity of 1 to 2 GW. Enova SF, Norway’s contact point for the European Innovation Fund, facilitated this funding. Nel spent over five years developing the electrolyser to enhance green hydrogen production and reduce costs.
Prototype testing and market validation will determine the success of this pressurised alkaline electrolyser technology. If the results prove booming and market demand increases, Nel plans to expand production capacity to 4 GW. The company will rely on its existing facilities in Herøya for the expansion.
Nel plans to optimise its infrastructure at these facilities to support industrialisation. The European Innovation Fund’s grant will provide critical funding for the technology’s deployment and scale-up process.
The Norwegian Research Council and Innovation Norway offered financial support during earlier development stages. These contributions helped Nel advance the technology to its current prototyping phase. With backing from the European Innovation Fund, Nel is taking a significant step toward improving the efficiency and scalability of green hydrogen production.
This project is significant for Nel and the broader green hydrogen market. The electrolyser aims to provide a more cost-effective solution for large-scale hydrogen production, which could play a key role in meeting Europe’s increasing demand for clean energy.
Herøya already serves as a critical hub for Nel’s hydrogen production. With the upcoming industrialisation of the new electrolyser, the facility will become even more central to Nel’s green hydrogen technology efforts. Success will depend on technology performance, market conditions, and hydrogen demand.
Green hydrogen continues to gain recognition as an essential part of Europe’s energy transition. With the push to reduce carbon emissions, hydrogen offers a clean alternative for challenging industries to decarbonise. Nel’s project aligns with Europe’s broader clean energy goals, supporting efforts to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Nel’s phased approach to deploying this technology allows it to adapt based on prototype results. If successful, Nel will produce hydrogen at a scale that could significantly impact the market.
This €135 million grant is one of the largest in Nel’s history, highlighting the European Innovation Fund’s confidence in the company. Norway’s focus on sustainable technologies also plays a significant role, with organisations like Enova SF and Innovation Norway actively supporting clean energy projects.
By leveraging its experience and infrastructure at Herøya, Nel positions itself as a leader in the green hydrogen space. If successful, this project could pave the way for more widespread adoption of hydrogen technology across Europe.