Enn Õunpuu, CEO of Elcogen, said: “As demand for reliable Solid Oxide-based clean energy solutions accelerates worldwide, Elcogen is now uniquely positioned to deliver the high-performance technology the market needs, at commercial volumes.”
Built for global scale
The plant integrates advanced automation, R&D facilities and sustainable design features. It is powered by a 9 MW supply from the nearby Iru Waste-to-Energy Plant and incorporates measures such as process heat reuse and thermal oxidisers to limit emissions.
Delivered by construction partner Maru Ehitus AS, the project involved approximately EUR 50 million in investment from stakeholders including Baker Hughes and South Korea’s HD Hyundai. Elcogen also received EUR 25 million support from the European Innovation Fund to expand capacity under the “ELCO I” initiative.
Õunpuu added: “ELCO I serves as a flagship model designed to guide future development initiatives globally. We plan to license our technology and manufacturing blueprint to trusted partners, ensuring consistent IP control while enabling local manufacturing – an attractive proposition for markets focused on domestic production and resilient supply chains.”
Driving forward the energy transition
Founded in 2001, Elcogen has become a strategic technology partner for global integrators, supplying components for systems ranging from Combined Heat and Power (CHP) to off-grid EV charging and hydrogen production. Its workforce of nearly 150 people represents more than 20 nationalities, and the new facility is expected to create around 300 additional jobs as production scales up.
Õunpuu said: “Yes, we are expanding capacity, but this is also about increasing the performance of our products and reducing costs for our partners across the energy value chain. This is a facility designed to deliver on the promise of clean energy, now.”
A global gathering for a global mission
The launch event on 16 September brought together more than 300 guests, including representatives from Baker Hughes, HD Hyundai, SmartCap, LHV Bank, Tartu University and Tallinn University of Technology. In a video address, Jorgo Chatzimarkakis, CEO of Hydrogen Europe, welcomed the development, stating: “With Elcogen’s new facility, Europe gains a powerful boost in electrolysis and fuel cell capacity – technologies that are inseparable from the hydrogen economy. The roots of excellence now bear fruit on an industrial scale.”
Chris Nash, Chair of Elcogen’s Board of Directors, added: “This new facility sends a strong message that Elcogen is ready for large-scale delivery. We are committed to partnering with global system integrators, strategic partners and governments to build resilient, low-carbon energy systems of the future.”
