SK Ecoplant has entered into a collaboration with Bloom Energy to conduct a substantial green hydrogen demonstration project in partnership with Korea Southern Power and local government authorities.
As an affiliate of the SK Group and an expert in engineering and energy solutions, SK Ecoplant will leverage Bloom Energy’s solid oxide electrolyzer (SOEC) technology to establish a large-scale green hydrogen production facility on Jeju Island, South Korea. Jeju Island is renowned for its commitment to renewable energy initiatives. The project, slated to commence in late 2025, will deploy 1.8 megawatts of Bloom’s electrolyzer technology for the production of green hydrogen intended for use as transport fuel.
This collaboration builds upon the existing relationship between SK and Bloom, marked by successful joint projects in various regions of South Korea. By combining SK Group’s engineered infrastructure with Bloom Energy’s advanced electrolyzer, the initiative aims to produce hydrogen specifically tailored for use in transportation.
KR Sridhar, Founder and Chairman, CEO of Bloom Energy, emphasized the significance of the collaboration, stating, “The extension of our partnership with SK Ecoplant to include this deployment of Bloom’s SOEC is a logical step to show the superior efficiency of our electrolyzers compared to other technologies in the important South Korean market.”
Hydrogen power is gaining substantial momentum as a renewable energy source, attracting attention from major automakers. General Motors, for instance, has joined forces with Komatsu to design a hydrogen fuel cell power module for electric mining trucks. A recent study highlighted a 35% increase in hydrogen projects globally over the last six months as of December 2023.
The demonstration project on Jeju Island aligns with the region’s ambitious climate change goals, notably the “Carbon Free Island 2030” initiative. This project aims to transition all vehicles and electricity generation to renewables by 2030. The green hydrogen produced in this demonstration is anticipated to play a pivotal role in advancing these sustainability objectives.
Kyung-il Park, CEO of SK Ecoplant, emphasized the strategic importance of the collaboration, stating, “The results of this demonstration project will be crucial for SK to advance in the electrolysis market and pursue green hydrogen development projects domestically and internationally using Bloom’s Solid Oxide Electrolyzer Cell (SOEC). This participation exemplifies a strategic collaboration between SK and Bloom, expanding the scope of cooperation from power generation (fuel cell) to global green hydrogen development projects, further strengthening the strategic partnership between the two companies.
