Topsoe (Lyngby, Denmark; www.topsoe.com), a leading global provider of advanced technology and solutions for the energy transition, has inaugurated its first – and Europe’s largest – solid oxide electrolyzer cell (SOEC) stack manufacturing facility in Denmark. The electrolyzer stacks will be used to produce green hydrogen, which can be converted into ammonia and methanol essential for industrial decarbonization.
The factory is initially designed to manufacture 500 MW of electrolyzers per year. When fully loaded, after ten years, the factory can service up to 10 GW of installed capacity at customer sites, enabling the reduction of 15 million metric tons of CO2 annually, compared to hydrogen produced from natural gas. This is equivalent to the annual emissions of nearly 3.5 million gasoline-powered passenger vehicles.
By scaling advanced, high-efficiency electrolyzer technology, Topsoe contributes to enhancing Europe’s energy competitiveness in cleantech, while supporting both European and global efforts to decarbonize energy-intensive industries such as steel, cement, chemicals and long-distance transportation that account for approximately 30% of global CO₂ emissions (WEF).
Morten Bødskov, the Danish Minister for Industry, Business and Financial Affairs, said: “This is a big day for Topsoe, for Herning and for Denmark. Topsoe turns knowledge into action and complex chemistry into real change – and their technologies make industries cleaner. Investments like this show what’s possible. They create jobs, growth and a greener future. This new factory is an example of what we need – Danish and European investments in green technology.”
Roeland Baan, Chief Executive Officer at Topsoe, said: “Our SOEC facility will be a game-changer for the energy transition. The technology’s unmatched efficiency is pivotal for scaling green hydrogen production for industrial decarbonization. With this facility, we are moving SOEC technology and Power-to-X from ambition to reality – at a scale and speed that’s urgently needed. This achievement is a testament to Topsoe’s world-class innovation, determination and ability to transform advanced, science-based solutions into industrial impact.”
Topsoe has signed offtake agreements with First Ammonia for their green ammonia project in Texas, US, and with Forestal for their e-methanol project in Spain. Both agreements include a 10-year service warranty program.
The inauguration was attended by Morten Bødskov, Danish Minister for Industry, Business and Financial Affairs and state representatives. Also, customers, business partners and organizations such as European Innovation Fund, CINEA, Hydrogen Council, Confederation of Danish Industry, Hydrogen Denmark and Green Power Denmark attended the ceremony in Herning, Denmark. Wopke Hoekstra, European Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth, and Dan Jørgensen, European Commissioner for Energy and Housing, delivered video addresses during the ceremony.
Topsoe first announced plans for the Herning facility in May 2022, committing to expand SOEC manufacturing capacity to help meet the global need for green hydrogen – critical to accelerating industrial decarbonization and achieving global climate targets.
The factory’s SOEC stacks – designed for exceptional efficiency and durability – have been rigorously tested at Topsoe’s demonstration plant, demonstrating high stability and performance under industrial conditions.
Spanning 23,000 square meters, the Herning facility brings together advanced automation, precision manufacturing and materials science expertise under one roof. The SOEC stacks produced at the facility will be deployed globally – particularly in Europe and the United States – to accelerate the production of green hydrogen that can be turned into derivatives such as e-fuels.
Topsoe’s solid oxide electrolyzer cells (SOEC) electrolysis technology is a modular design that operates at significantly higher temperatures compared to other electrolyzer technologies – a tested and proven process that enables industrial-scale production of green hydrogen using renewable electricity.
Topsoe’s SOEC electrolyzer produces more hydrogen per unit of power input than alkaline or PEM technologies – achieving around 20% higher efficiency, which can increase to 30% with steam integration – yielding significantly greater hydrogen output. It further allows for the lowest levelized hydrogen cost per megawatt volume, no matter the industry.
The SOEC electrolyzers have proven their efficiency through a successful performance test at Topsoe’s SOEC demonstration plant in Frederikssund, Denmark. The test revealed high levels of stability under industrial conditions.