SK Eteonics Begins Commercial Operation of High-Efficiency Fuel Cell Power Plant 'Chungju Ecopark'

Expected to Serve as a Distributed Power Source in Chungbuk Region

SK Eteonics announced that the 'Chungju Ecopark' fuel cell power plant, constructed within the Chungju Megapolis General Industrial Complex in Chungju, Chungbuk, began commercial operation on December 20.

SOFC Fuel Cell Power Plant 'Chungju Ecopark' in Chungju Megapolis General Industrial Complex, Chungju, Chungbuk. SK Eteronics

Chungju Ecopark is a high-efficiency Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) power plant with an installed capacity of 40 MW, making it the largest SOFC single-model facility in Korea operated by SK Eteonics. The project involved a total investment of 271 billion won, and the site covers an area of 17,173 square meters (approximately 5,200 pyeong).

Chungju Ecopark utilizes 120 units of Bloom Energy’s ES 6.5 model, each with a capacity of 330 kW, enabling the production of approximately 330 GWh of electricity annually. This amount of electricity is sufficient to power about 94,000 households for one year and is expected to serve as a stable, distributed power source for the Chungcheongbuk-do region.

SK Eteonics has also been advancing the financial procurement and EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) for the nearby Daesowon Ecopark (40 MW). Daesowon Ecopark is scheduled to begin commercial operation in the first half of next year. Once both plants are operational, the combined capacity will reach 80 MW, establishing the largest fuel cell power plant complex in Korea.

With the commencement of commercial operation at Chungju Ecopark, SK Eteonics now operates a cumulative 129 MW of fuel cell power plants, including Cheongju (20 MW), Eumseong (20 MW), Chilgok (20 MW), Yakmok (9 MW), and Boeun (20 MW). This total capacity can generate approximately 1,074 GWh of electricity annually.

Kim Haejung, CEO of SK Eteonics, stated, "The successful commercial operation of Chungju Ecopark once again demonstrates SK Eteonics’ capabilities and execution in the fuel cell business. We will continue to contribute to enhancing energy self-sufficiency and creating a regionally symbiotic eco-friendly energy ecosystem by expanding the supply of distributed power sources."