Major milestone achieved as Ceres megawatt-scale electrolyser project produces first hydrogen

Ceres Power has announced that its first megawatt solid oxide electrolyser cell (SOEC) demonstrator system, located at Shell's Technology Centre in Bangalore, India, is now producing hydrogen.

This milestone is significant as it represents the first megawatt-scale SOEC system in India, highlighting the maturity of Ceres' solid oxide electrolyser technology, supported by Shell's expertise in installation, integration, and safety assurance.

Shell and Ceres began collaborating in 2022, which led to the deployment of this megawatt-scale electrolyser capable of producing 600 kg of hydrogen per day at full capacity.

With an electrolyser module efficiency of 37 kWh/kg H2, Ceres' metal-supported design allows the system to operate at lower temperatures than current state-of-the-art SOEC technology.

The operational phase of the system is anticipated to demonstrate increased robustness and reduced operational costs.

The initiation of hydrogen production by this demonstrator system marks the start of the project's operational phase, during which data and insights will be gathered to develop a commercially competitive and scalable solution for industrial processes.

Phil Caldwell, Chief Executive of Ceres, commented: "This achievement illustrates how Ceres' high-efficiency technology can scale to meet industry needs and provide a pathway to economically viable hydrogen for green steel, ammonia, and synthetic fuels.

“India has ambitious plans, aiming to develop green hydrogen production capacity of at least five million metric tons per year by 2030*.”

He added: “Technological advancements like ours are designed to contribute to this goal and help build and strengthen India's clean energy ecosystem."

Theo Bodewes, General Manager of Hydrogen at Shell Projects & Technology, stated: "Hydrogen has a crucial role in a low-carbon energy system as a feedstock for low-carbon gases and fuels.

“We are collaborating with Ceres to advance technologies that can deliver hydrogen efficiently and reliably.

“This latest milestone is a significant step in helping us learn and evaluate the best approach to producing lower-cost electrolysed hydrogen. We are excited to commence SOEC hydrogen production."

*Government of India. (2025). National Green Hydrogen Mission. Retrieved from https://www.india.gov.in/spotlight/national-green-hydrogen-mission

For more information, visit www.ceres.tech.