The HyFuel and Kaupanes projects in Norway will both use 20MW containerised PEM electrolysers from Nel, representing a $50m order.

Electrolysers will start arriving at the sites from the second half of 2026, with stacks coming from Nel’s PEM factory in Connecticut, US.

HYDS is co-developing each project, with hydroelectric firm Sogn and Fjordane Energy and maritime fuel supplier Fjord Base working on HyFuel; while electric supplier Dalane Energi and port authority Eigersund Næring og Havn KF will support the Kaupanes project.

HyFuel is set to build up production capacity at Fjord Base to provide green hydrogen fuel for maritime applications. The development originally targeted completion in 2027, but is now expected to come online in 2028.

HyFuel location © HYDS

The 20MW Kaupanes installation comes as an expansion of an existing 3MW facility, which has been operating since February 2024. It will also look to provide hydrogen for maritime applications and is likely due online in 2028.

The order comes at a critical moment for Nel, after a challenging year which has seen its order intakes fall significantly.

In its Q3 earnings report, the firm said the “worst is past” after quarterly order intake dropped 64%.

Nel CEO Håkon Volldal said the new order, representing the firm’s second-largest to date, was an important milestone for Nel coming out of the low-intake period.

“With [this] order, we confirm the platform’s competitiveness also for larger installations, and it will serve as a key reference for future projects,” he said.