The platform follows more than 8 years of development and full-scale prototype testing at Nel’s Herøya facility in Norway. Based on a 25 MW plant, Nel estimates a turnkey full-scope cost below $1,450 per kW, with further cost synergies seen for larger plants. The estimate is based on hydrogen delivered at 30 bar pressure with 99.99% purity.

The system is built around a fully modular, skid-based design, with factory-assembled and tested units supplied as standardized products rather than bespoke projects. It operates in a 15 bar pressurized configuration, which reduces the need for downstream compression and improves overall energy efficiency. The platform is also designed for outdoor installation, reducing civil works and site infrastructure requirements.

Nel said these features are expected to reduce system CAPEX by 40–60% compared with solutions available in the market today, while shortening project timelines and lowering execution risk. The technology also incorporates proprietary production methods and patent-pending innovations, and is optimized for real-world operating conditions.

“This is an important step toward making renewable electrolytic hydrogen simpler, more scalable and more cost-competitive,” commented Håkon Volldal, President and CEO of Nel.

Marius Løken, Chief Technology Officer of Nel, said: “We have designed this platform for standardisation and industrial scale. Pressurised operation combined with a modular, factory-built design reduces complexity and improves efficiency, making the system well suited for repeatable large-scale deployment.”

The platform is being industrialized following a final investment decision announced in December 2025, enabling production capacity of up to 1 GW per year at Herøya, with a roadmap to scale to 4 GW annually. Industrialization is supported by a grant of up to €135 million from the EU Innovation Fund, covering up to 60% of eligible industrialization costs.

Source:  Hydrogentechworld