Horizon Fuel Cell Group, through its electrolyser subsidiary HET Hydrogen, is redefining the economics of green hydrogen production with the deployment of its groundbreaking 5MW AEM (Anion Exchange Membrane) electrolyser system. The first units are now being prepared for installation in partnership with Rockcheck Steel Group Co Ltd, a leading industrial enterprise in Tianjin, China.
This project marks a world-first application of large-scale AEM technology in steel production and is a key step toward lowering the cost of green hydrogen for hard-to-abate sectors such as steelmaking, ammonia, methanol, and zero-emission transportation.
Integrating Renewables with Industrial Hydrogen Use
As part of an integrated decarbonization system, the deployment combines a 17MW building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) solar system with two 5MW AEM electrolysers, producing 1,000Nm³/h of green hydrogen. This hydrogen will be injected into the blast furnace gas pipelines at Rockcheck Steel, displacing coal use and significantly reducing carbon emissions.
The electrolyser system is expected to be operational by the end of 2025, marking a major advancement in green hydrogen’s role in steel production—one of the most challenging industrial sectors to decarbonize.
A Cost-Competitive Hydrogen Breakthrough
Horizon’s modular AEM electrolyser system is designed to lower both capital and operational costs. It achieves 10–20% lower power consumption than traditional alkaline systems, and aims to demonstrate a lower levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH). With scalability and compatibility with intermittent renewable energy sources, Horizon’s AEM technology offers a promising path to producing hydrogen at costs as low as USD $2/kg.
As deployment scales up, AEM’s capital costs are expected to rival those of alkaline electrolysers—long considered the benchmark for affordability—while delivering superior efficiency.
Eyeing Green Ammonia as the Next Frontier
Horizon is also actively developing flexible green ammonia production systems with third-party partners. Green ammonia is emerging as a major application for hydrogen, serving both as an energy carrier and as a low-emission fuel alternative for power generation and international shipping.
Supporting the Global Energy Transition
“This project not only showcases the technical viability of large-scale AEM electrolysis, but also accelerates industrial decarbonization in one of the toughest sectors. We’re confident it will become a reference for global renewable hydrogen deployments,” said a spokesperson from Horizon.
The successful completion of this project will pave the way for Horizon AEM systems to be integrated into renewable energy projects globally—whether powered by solar, wind, or hybrid sources—supporting sectors ranging from green fertilisers and hydrogen-based metallurgy to sustainable transportation.
About Horizon Fuel Cell Group
Founded in 2003, Horizon Fuel Cell Group focuses on materials innovation and systems-level hydrogen technologies. The company is a global leader in fuel cells and electrolysers, delivering solutions that eliminate diesel use in heavy-duty applications and making hydrogen economically viable across industrial sectors.
