Norwegian fuel cell company Nel has decided to build its next gigafactory in Plymouth Charter Township, a Detroit suburb.

The electrode manufacturing plant will produce 4 GW of alkaline and proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer technology annually. The Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) has awarded a $10-million Michigan Business Development grant to the project. The MSF board also granted a 15-year, 100% State Essential Services Assessment (SESA) Exemption Request for up to $6.25 million to fund the project. Nel has so far raised more than $50 million for the site. Additional state and federal applications could raise this sum to $150 million. 

Nel’s Plymouth manufacturing plant will utilize its fully automated electrolyzer concept developed in Herøya, Norway. Also, Nel’s Wallingford plant expansion will scale up its PEM electrolyzer manufacturing.

“In Plymouth Charter Township, we have access to a highly educated workforce, universities and research institutions, and we are close to our collaborating partner, General Motors,” says Nel’s CEO, Håkon Volldal. “In addition, the government and the authorities of Michigan have provided a very attractive financial support package for us.”

Source: Nel