Nel launches new pressurised alkaline system with sub-$1,500/kW capex

Electrolyser manufacturer Nel has launched a new pressurised alkaline electrolyser system with a capex of $1,450/kW at 25MW-scale, representing a cost of $36.25m.

Designed for outdoor installation, the modular, skid-mounted design is based around the Norwegian firm’s next-generation pressurised alkaline stack to produce green hydrogen at 15 bar.

The plants will be manufactured at Nel’s , after the firm took final investment decision on a new line at the site in 2025.

Nel had previously claimed its pressurised platform would be able to compete against low-cost, Chinese-made systems, which are estimated to cost a fraction of Western-made technology.

At $1,450/kW, the system competes against a cost average that currently sits around $2,000-$2,500/kW, but is still above China’s estimated $600 to $1,000/kW.

However, Nel CEO Håkon Volldal recently told investors that the new system could reduce project installation, commissioning, and testing costs.

Commenting on the launch, Volldal said the technology was designed to “unlock” previously “out of reach” business cases.

The platform has been a long time coming, after Nel effectively halted production of its atmospheric alkaline systems in 2024 amid low orders and project delays.

In February Nel posted a 31% for last year as losses more than trebled. Despite the losses, its cash balance remained relatively stable, and its order intake grew.

More recently, the company secured $7m for its PEM electrolysers from a French multi-energy refuelling company.