SAMSUNG E&A’s acquisition of a 9.1% stake in Norway’s Nel ASA for approximately USD 33 million marks a calculated shift toward dominating the green hydrogen market amid intensifying global decarbonization efforts. With this move, executed on 11 March 2025 and formalized at a high-profile ceremony in Houston, industry leaders signal a commitment to merging financial acumen with technological prowess.
At the Houston event, top executives—including Hong Namkoong, President and CEO of SAMSUNG E&A, and Håkon Volldal, CEO of Nel ASA—outlined the strategic rationale behind the partnership. Nel ASA, a company with a storied history dating back to 1927, has established itself as a leader in hydrogen technology by deploying both alkaline water electrolyser (AWE) and proton exchange membrane (PEM) solutions across global projects. Its dual-platform expertise is set to provide the technical backbone for integrated hydrogen production facilities that SAMSUNG E&A envisions.
Industry analysts underscore that the fusion of SAMSUNG E&A’s extensive project execution capabilities with Nel ASA’s proven technological platforms could mitigate the high capital and technical barriers that have long hindered the widespread adoption of green hydrogen. Electrolyser-based hydrogen production is increasingly critical—not only as a standalone solution but also as a gateway for synthesizing green ammonia, methanol, and e-fuels. In markets driven by stringent environmental regulations and a persistent drive toward decarbonization, such integrated solutions are essential for achieving scale and cost reductions.
The collaboration is strategically framed within SAMSUNG E&A’s broader “E&Aable” framework, which focuses on low-carbon, carbon-free, and environmentally circular initiatives. By proactively securing advanced technologies through equity investments and strategic partnerships, the company aims to attract high value-added EPC orders that further the energy transition while addressing market challenges head on.
Critics of the green hydrogen sector have long pointed to the inherent challenges in scaling electrolyser technologies efficiently. However, the partnership between SAMSUNG E&A and Nel ASA offers a data-driven response to these concerns by leveraging Nel’s extensive project experience and its development of next-generation high-performance electrolyser solutions. This integration of technology and capital is poised to create a more resilient blueprint for future investments in green energy—one that aligns with both market realities and environmental imperatives.
By fusing established expertise with forward-looking strategies, the SAMSUNG E&A–Nel ASA alliance illustrates a pragmatic approach to overcoming the technical and financial hurdles of green hydrogen production, setting a precedent for industry players navigating the evolving energy landscape.
