Bloom Energy and SK ecoplant Join Forces for South Korea’s Jeju Island Hydrogen Project

Bloom Energy, has partnered with SK ecoplant, a subsidiary of the SK Group, to deploy Bloom’s cutting-edge solid oxide electrolyzer in the Jeju Island hydrogen demonstration project in South Korea.

Developed by Korea Southern Power Co., Ltd (KOSPO) and the local government, the Jeju Island hydrogen demonstration project is slated to commence in late 2025. This initiative marks a significant milestone as the first-of-its-kind hydrogen demonstration project in South Korea, featuring Bloom’s 1.8 MW SOEC technology to produce green hydrogen at scale for use as a transport fuel on Jeju Island.

KR Sridhar, founder and chairman, CEO of Bloom Energy, expressed the significance of the partnership, stating, “The extension of our partnership with SK ecoplant to include this deployment of Bloom’s SOEC is a logical step to show the superior efficiency of our electrolyzers compared to other technologies in the important South Korean market.” Bloom’s SOEC technology is set to demonstrate its efficiency and flexibility in contributing to South Korea’s commitment to low-cost green hydrogen.

The Jeju Island hydrogen project aligns with the ambitious “Carbon Free Island 2030” initiative, aiming to fully transition all vehicles and electricity generation to renewables by 2030. The green hydrogen produced in this demonstration project will play a pivotal role in achieving Jeju Island’s carbon-free goals, supplying green hydrogen to refueling stations powering public vehicles.

SK ecoplant’s CEO, Kyung-il Park, highlighted the strategic collaboration between SK and Bloom, emphasizing the expansion of cooperation from power generation (fuel cell) to global green hydrogen development projects. The collaboration strengthens the partnership between the two companies and positions them as key players in advancing South Korea’s green hydrogen landscape.

The demonstration project involves a consortium of companies and technologies, capitalizing on Jeju Island’s unique characteristics, including wind power and abundant natural resources. The consortium’s ambitious goal is to build and operate the nation’s largest 12.5MW-scale hydrogen production facilities, incorporating various electrolyzer technologies. The primary objectives include green hydrogen production, economic viability in distribution, and establishing a foundation for commercialization.