Bloom Energy and SK ecoplant Unveil Hydrogen Project Partnership

Bloom Energy and SK ecoplant, a subsidiary of the SK Group, a South Korean conglomerate, have jointly revealed a significant development in the realm of green hydrogen technology. This collaborative effort involves the sale of Bloom's electrolyzer technology for the implementation of hydrogen as a primary energy source in an extensive green hydrogen demonstration. The project, set to take place in late 2025, will feature a groundbreaking showcase of 1.8 megawatts (MW) of Bloom's Solid Oxide Electrolyzer (SOEC) technology. The primary focus of this demonstration is to produce green hydrogen at scale, specifically for utilization as transport fuel on Jeju Island, South Korea.

Jeju Island, renowned for its emphasis on renewable energy initiatives, has been selected as the location for this first-of-its-kind demonstration in South Korea. The collaboration involves key stakeholders, including the Korea Southern Power Co., Ltd (KOSPO) and local government entities. This strategic move aligns with South Korea's position as a front-runner in policies promoting clean hydrogen solutions.

Founder and Chairman/CEO of Bloom Energy, KR Sridhar, emphasized the strategic importance of extending the partnership with SK ecoplant to encompass the deployment of Bloom's SOEC technology. Sridhar stated that this move is designed to showcase the superior efficiency of Bloom's electrolyzers in comparison to other technologies prevalent in the South Korean market. He also highlighted South Korea's proactive stance in facilitating clean hydrogen initiatives. The deployment of Bloom's SOEC technology is seen as a demonstration of commitment to delivering the most cost-effective green hydrogen for South Korea.

The collaboration between SK and Bloom extends beyond this particular project, encompassing a broader strategic relationship involving multiple initiatives in South Korea. The synergy between SK's engineering prowess and Bloom's cutting-edge Bloom Electrolyzer™ is expected to yield hydrogen suitable for use as transport fuel.

Kyung-il Park, CEO of SK ecoplant, emphasized the pivotal role of the demonstration project in advancing SK's position in the electrolysis market and propelling green hydrogen development endeavors, both domestically and internationally, utilizing Bloom's Solid Oxide Electrolyzer Cell (SOEC). Park underscored the collaboration's strategic nature, highlighting the expansion of cooperation from power generation (fuel cell) to global green hydrogen development projects. This expansion strengthens the overarching strategic partnership between SK and Bloom.

The demonstration project involves a consortium of companies and technologies, with the Bloom Electrolyzer being selected for its high electrical efficiency. This efficiency is considered crucial by KOSPO and its collaborators as it plays a vital role in achieving optimal results. The selection of Bloom's technology underscores its industry-leading position and its potential to contribute significantly to the success of the project.

The project aligns with Jeju Island's ambitious 'Carbon Free Island 2030' initiative, which aims to transition all vehicles and electricity generation to renewables by the year 2030. The hydrogen generated from this collaboration will play a pivotal role in advancing this goal. Specifically, it will serve as an alternative energy source by supplying green hydrogen to hydrogen refueling stations, powering public vehicles and showcasing a sustainable and renewable energy model.