Elcogen Opens €50 Mn Hydrogen Tech Factory in Estonia, Boosting Capacity 36-Fold

Elcogen, a European developer of solid oxide technology for green hydrogen and clean energy, has inaugurated its first large-scale manufacturing facility, ELCO I, on the outskirts of Tallinn, Estonia. The launch marks a major expansion in the company’s production capacity and its role in Europe’s clean energy transition.

The new 14,000 m² plant, built with a capital investment of around EUR 50 million, will increase Elcogen’s output capacity from 10 MW to 360 MW, making it one of Europe’s largest manufacturers of Solid-Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) and Electrolysis Cell (SOEC) components. 

These products - cells, stacks, and modules - are used by global system integrators for applications ranging from industrial backup and off-grid power to green hydrogen production and Power-to-X solutions.

“This new facility is built for scale, speed, and global impact,” said Enn Õunpuu, CEO of Elcogen. “As demand for reliable Solid Oxide-based clean energy solutions accelerates worldwide, Elcogen is now uniquely positioned to deliver high-performance technology at commercial volumes.”

Built for Global Scale

The facility features advanced automation and R&D capabilities, while also integrating sustainable energy principles. It draws power from the nearby Iru Waste-to-Energy Plant and uses process heat recovery alongside thermal oxidisers to cut emissions.

The project was delivered on time and within budget by Maru Ehitus AS, the official statement notes. Investors include Baker Hughes, HD Hyundai, and Estonia’s venture capital fund SmartCap. The European Innovation Fund also backed the project. The EU has committed an additional EUR 25 million to help expand ELCO I’s capacity under Elcogen’s flagship program.

Strategic Expansion in Clean Hydrogen

Founded in 2001, Elcogen supplies critical fuel cell and electrolyser technology to integrators worldwide. In addition to the supply of components, Elcogen offers comprehensive services to support technology integration. The Company has its registered office in the UK, its main headquarters in Tallinn, Estonia, and R&D centres of excellence in both Estonia and Finland. 

Karim Amin, representing Baker Hughes, and senior executives from HD Hyundai joined more than 300 guests and partners at the launch event, which included representatives from European and Asian energy sectors, as well as research institutions like Tartu University and Tallinn University of Technology.

In a message shared during the ceremony, Jorgo Chatzimarkakis, CEO of Hydrogen Europe, hailed the project as a milestone for the continent, “With Elcogen’s new facility, Europe gains a powerful boost in electrolysis and fuel cell capacity. Estonia shows how to turn vision into reality.”

According to Elcogen, ELCO I will serve as a blueprint for future facilities worldwide, with plans to eventually license the technology and manufacturing model to partners while maintaining intellectual property controls.