Lotte SK Enroute Launches Second Hydrogen Fuel Cell Power Plant in South Korea

Lotte SK Enroute, a joint venture formed in 2022 by SK Gas, Lotte Chemical, and Air Liquide Korea, has activated its second hydrogen fuel cell power plant in the Ulsan Mipo National Industrial Complex. The Ulsan Hydrogen Power No. 1 facility operates at 20 MW capacity, utilizing by-product hydrogen from adjacent refineries and petrochemical facilities through dedicated pipelines to generate electricity.

The plant employs proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells to convert hydrogen and oxygen into electricity, achieving high efficiency particularly under partial load conditions. An Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) unit captures waste heat to generate additional power, maximizing overall efficiency.

This represents the second operational unit for the venture, following the launch of Ulsan Hydrogen Power No. 2 last summer. The company targets an aggregate capacity of 80 MW by year-end. Over its 20-year operational lifespan, the facility is projected to eliminate thousands of tons of CO₂ emissions compared to grid electricity alternatives.

The project leverages existing pipeline and storage infrastructure from partner companies, reducing capital expenditures and accelerating deployment. It aligns with South Korea's Hydrogen Economy Roadmap, which targets a five-fold increase in hydrogen utilization by 2030. The venture receives government subsidies through the Ulsan Mipo National Industrial Complex Energy Self-Sufficiency Infrastructure Construction and Operation Project, a public-private initiative managed by the Korea Industrial Complex Corporation.

The facility provides local industrial operators with stable electricity supply at predictable rates while reducing reliance on grid power and fossil fuel-based systems.

Originally reported by Hydrogen Fuel News. Read the full article →