In a groundbreaking announcement today, Bloom Energy (NYSE: BE) joined forces with SK ecoplant, an engineering and energy solutions provider and subsidiary of the South Korean conglomerate SK Group. This partnership unveiled plans for the sale of Bloom’s cutting-edge electrolyzer technology, marking a pivotal step toward deploying hydrogen as a primary energy source in a large-scale green hydrogen demonstration.
The collaboration includes Korea Southern Power Co., Ltd (KOSPO) and local government bodies, with the aim to introduce a first-of-its-kind initiative for South Korea. Scheduled to kick off in late 2025, the ambitious project will feature the implementation of 1.8 megawatts (MW) of Bloom’s Solid Oxide Electrolyzer (SOEC) technology. This groundbreaking initiative is set to produce green hydrogen at scale for utilization as transport fuel on Jeju Island, renowned for its pivotal role in fostering renewable energy projects.
The strategic alliance between SK and Bloom has been pivotal in several projects across South Korea. For this venture, the collaboration will amalgamate Bloom’s Electrolyzer™ with SK’s robust infrastructure to facilitate the production of hydrogen suitable for transport fuel.
The demonstration features a consortium of companies and technologies, with Bloom’s Electrolyzer being chosen for its industry-leading high electrical efficiency. The venture aligns with Jeju Island’s ambitious “Carbon Free Island 2030” initiative, aiming to transition all vehicles and electricity generation to renewables by 2030. The hydrogen generated from this project will play a pivotal role in achieving this goal, serving as an alternative, sustainable energy source for hydrogen refueling stations powering public vehicles.
Leveraging Jeju’s geographical advantages—abundant natural resources and wind power—the consortium aims to build and operate the nation’s largest 12.5MW-scale hydrogen production facilities. This initiative is poised not only to produce green hydrogen but also to establish economic viability in distribution, paving the way for commercialization.
Since its inception in 2018, the strategic partnership between Bloom Energy and SK ecoplant has bolstered their leadership positions in power generation and the global hydrogen economy. SK ecoplant is set to become a preferred distributor for Bloom Energy’s solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) and SOEC in markets where it holds a significant presence and competitive edge. Together, they have already deployed 400 MW, solidifying their commitment to revolutionizing the energy landscape.
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