Topsoe has opened its first Solid Oxide Electrolyzer Cell (SOEC) stack manufacturing plant in Denmark, a major milestone for Europe’s clean energy drive. The new site, which is the largest SOEC manufacturing facility in Europe, will make electrolyzer stacks that produce green hydrogen, which can then be turned into ammonia and methanol to help cut industrial emissions.
Initially, the new SOEC manufacturing facility is built to deliver 500 MW of electrolyzer capacity annually. Over the next decade, as production scales, it is expected to serve installations totaling up to 10 GW at customer sites. According to Topsoe, this could enable a reduction of 15 million metric tons of CO₂ emissions each year compared to conventional hydrogen produced from natural gas, an amount equivalent to the yearly emissions of around 3.5 million gasoline-powered cars. The company emphasized that the facility represents a major advancement in Europe’s efforts to strengthen its cleantech manufacturing base while contributing to the global decarbonization of hard-to-abate industries such as steel, cement, chemicals, and long-haul transport, which together account for about 30% of global CO₂ emissions, according to the World Economic Forum.
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 already secured offtake agreements with First Ammonia for its green ammonia project in Texas, US, and Forestal for an e-methanol project in Spain. Both contracts include a 10-year service warranty program.
The inauguration event in Herning was attended by Morten Bødskov, Danish government representatives, customers, business partners and organizations, including the European Innovation Fund, CINEA, Hydrogen Council, Confederation of Danish Industry, Hydrogen Denmark and Green Power Denmark. Video messages were shared by Wopke Hoekstra, European Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth, and Dan Jørgensen, European Commissioner for Energy and Housing.