Lotte SK Eneroot begins commercial run of Ulsan hydrogen plant

(SK gas)

Lotte SK Eneroot Corp., a joint venture between SK gas Ltd., Lotte Chemical Corp., and Air Liquide Korea Co., has commenced commercial operations of its first hydrogen fuel cell power plant.

The company announced on Wednesday the start of full-scale operations at Ulsan Hydrogen Power No. 2, a 20-megawatt facility powered by hydrogen fuel cells.

The plant will receive a stable supply of byproduct hydrogen from SK gas and Lotte Chemical affiliates.

The plant is expected to produce approximately 160 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity annually for the next 20 years. This is equivalent to the annual consumption of around 40,000 four-person households.

Located in Ulsan, a region with high power demand, the plant is expected to provide a reliable source of eco-friendly electricity.

Lotte SK Eneroot’s hydrogen fuel cell plant adopts a hydrogen-exclusive model that emits no carbon, distinguishing it from conventional power facilities.

A key advantage is its ability to transition to clean hydrogen in the future without requiring additional facility modifications.

The facility is also equipped to generate additional power by capturing and reusing waste heat from the fuel cells.

SK gas Chief Executive Officer Yoon Byung-suk described the launch of the Ulsan plant as the company’s “first tangible achievement in realizing the hydrogen economy.”

Lotte Chemical CEO Lee Young-jun called the project an “important milestone in Lotte Chemical’s pursuit of a sustainable future,” and emphasized the company’s commitment to enhancing core capabilities across the entire hydrogen value chain, including production, distribution, utilization, and technology development.