Norwegian hydrogen firm Nel has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) to investigate combining its alkaline electrolysis technology with nuclear power. The partnership will leverage Nel’s expertise in alkaline electrolysis with KHNP’s experience in nuclear power to develop hydrogen technology. In the future, the parties intend to expand into global clean hydrogen markets.
Since 2022, KHNP has been researching “pink hydrogen” – electrolytic production powered by nuclear electricity. The company is currently undertaking a demonstration project and has been conducting the world’s largest nuclear clean hydrogen production demonstration project as a national R&D project since April 2024.
In January, Nel said it had ceased alkaline electrolyser production at its 1GW plant in Herøya, in face of declining sales. Alkaline electrolysers in particular face obstacles in using renewable energy which is intermittent as fluctuating power inputs make it challenging to match energy supply efficiently. However, nuclear offers a potential pathway to produce zero-carbon hydrogen with the cheaper, more mature form of electrolysis technology.
