Nel bags contract to power South Korea’s first pink hydrogen production project

Norwegian hydrogen company Nel ASA has signed a €5 million deal to supply 10 megawatts of alkaline electrolyser technology to Samsung C&T Corporation Engineering & Construction Group. This collaboration is set to power South Korea’s first pink hydrogen production pilot project, leveraging surplus nuclear energy to produce clean hydrogen efficiently.

Pink hydrogen production, a process that involves electrolysis powered by nuclear energy, represents a breakthrough in the global clean energy transition. The method addresses a critical challenge in energy efficiency by utilising excess nuclear power, preventing waste during periods of oversupply, and contributing to the development of nuclear-powered hydrogen.

Nel’s alkaline electrolyser technology will play a pivotal role in this hydrogen production project, demonstrating the commercial viability of nuclear-powered hydrogen solutions. This project follows an earlier collaboration between Nel and Samsung C&T, where Nel provided electrolysers for a solar-powered off-grid hydrogen production project.

Håkon Volldal, President and CEO of Nel ASA, highlighted that Samsung C&T’s continued trust in Nel’s alkaline electrolyser technology underscores its reliability and scalability. Volldal noted that the pink hydrogen production initiative aligns with global ambitions to adopt sustainable and commercially feasible hydrogen solutions.

Samsung C&T, a key division of South Korea’s Samsung Group, has been intensifying efforts to diversify its energy portfolio with a strong focus on the clean energy transition. Byung Soo Lee, Head of Samsung C&T’s Energy Solution Business Unit, described Nel’s technology as essential for the success of this hydrogen production project. Lee also expressed eagerness to strengthen the partnership with Nel in exploring further opportunities in nuclear-powered hydrogen and other clean hydrogen initiatives.

The alkaline electrolyser technology required for this pink hydrogen production project will be manufactured at Nel’s Herøya facility in Norway. This facility, known as the world’s first fully automated production line for electrolysers, is designed to scale up hydrogen production efficiently, meeting the increasing global demand for clean energy solutions.

The hydrogen production project has attracted significant attention as a landmark in South Korea’s clean energy transition. By integrating nuclear-powered hydrogen into the broader energy mix, the project not only optimises existing energy infrastructure but also reinforces the country’s commitment to global carbon reduction goals.

Industry experts view pink hydrogen production as a game-changer for regions with abundant nuclear energy capabilities. This project is expected to validate the commercial model for nuclear-powered hydrogen, paving the way for more widespread adoption and significantly advancing the clean energy transition.

With Samsung C&T’s focus on expanding its clean energy portfolio and Nel’s leadership in electrolyser technology, this collaboration reflects a broader global shift towards hydrogen as a clean, efficient, and versatile energy carrier.