(Oslo / Norway) – The Norwegian Nel ASA wants to build one of the “largest electrolyzer factories in the world” in the US state of Michigan. The final production capacity for alkaline and PEM electrolysers will be four gigawatts. The investment volume is estimated at 400 million dollars (356 million euros). One day more than 500 people would be employed there.
Nel is building on its fully automated concept for the production of alkaline electrolyzers, which was developed in Herøya in Norway. Similarly, expansion of the existing factory in Wallingford, Connecticut will play a "critical role" in expanding production of PEM electrolyzers.
Funding, workforce, strategic partners
Last year, Nel examined a number of states as locations for its new production facility. The decision for Michigan is based on an overall package of “state financial incentives, access to highly qualified workers and cooperation with universities, research institutions and strategic partners,” says Nel managing director Håkon Volldal. Added to this is the “personal commitment” of Governor Gretchen Whitmer and her team.
“Personal commitment”: Nel CEO Håkon Volldal and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. © Nel ASA
Volldal emphasizes that the short distance to General Motors, headquartered in Detroit, also played a decisive role in the selection. The two companies are working together to further develop and improve PEM technology.
Nel's PEM electrolyzers were developed with support from the U.S. Department of Energy. “Nearly two decades of research investments have resulted in technological advances that are now being scaled up to gigawatt scale at our Michigan facility,” says Volldal.
The final investment decision has not yet been made. The location was also not specifically named. However, it is said that it will be built “in southeastern Michigan,” so the factory could actually be built in or in the immediate vicinity of Detroit on the border with Canada.
Photos
Nel's PEM factory in Wallingford, Connecticut, about 700 miles from the suspected new factory location in Michigan. © Nel ASA
