UK-headquartered electrolyser manufacturer Hydrasun and Norwegian firm Nel have signed an agreement to establish what they say is Scotland’s first electrolyser assembly and integration facility in Aberdeen.
The agreement will see Hydrasun invest in new production lines to assemble Nel’s MC Series proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyser platform.
Hydrasun will also manage the procurement, assembly and integration of the balance of plant systems that surround the PEM stack, which will be produced by Nel from its Wallingford facility in the US.
James Gaskell, Hydrasun CEO, said: “Establishing Scotland’s first electrolyser assembly and integration facility is a proud milestone for the company and an important step forward for Aberdeen’s energy sector more broadly, ensuring the city has genuine clean energy manufacturing capability.”
The development of the facility will be supported by £1.9 million in funding from the Scottish Government’s Just Transition Fund.
A wind for Aberdeen and the UK
The project will create up to 12 new jobs and safeguarding a further 11, according to Hydrasun. It will also position Aberdeen at the centre of a growing international supply chain for industrial equipment, as well as strengthen the wider Scottish and UK hydrogen supply chain, creating opportunities for local suppliers.
John Swinney, Scotland’s First Minister, commented: “The workforce here are among the most skilled and experienced in the world – and the jobs and investment we are announcing today will help to ensure that remarkable energy expertise is preserved.”
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Swinney noted that while the region will continue to make use of oil and gas for the foreseeable future, initiatives like this will help prepare workers for a shift to clean energy jobs as the energy transition progresses.
For Nel, this partnership will secure an integration partner in Europe and widen its delivery capabilities for the European market.
Tushar Ghuwalewala, SVP PEM Operations at Nel, said: “As demand for standardised, modular systems grows, this collaboration enhances our ability to serve key markets while creating greater flexibility and scalability across our production network.”
