2026-10-20
- It is reported that SK eternix began commercial operation of the Icheon Eco Park (8.9MW) and Paju Eco Park Unit 1 (9.9MW) fuel cell power plants on 2026-10-19.
- According to the report, Paju Eco Park Unit 2 (9.2MW) is scheduled to start commercial operation in November, bringing the combined capacity of the three units to 28MW.
- The total project cost is reported at about KRW 159.4 billion, and the expected annual output with all three units running is about 222GWh, equivalent to the yearly electricity use of about 53,000 households.
- The plants use high-efficiency SOFC (Solid Oxide Fuel Cell) technology from Bloom Energy of the United States, and once all three units are online by year-end, SK eternix’s cumulative operating fuel cell capacity is said to reach 228MW.
It is reported that two fuel cell power plants built by SK eternix in Icheon and Paju, Gyeonggi Province, began commercial operation on 2026-10-19. The plants in operation are Icheon Eco Park (8.9MW) and Paju Eco Park Unit 1 (9.9MW), while Paju Eco Park Unit 2 (9.2MW) is expected to begin commercial operation in November. According to the report, the three units total 28MW, the total project cost is about KRW 159.4 billion, and the expected annual generation with all units running is about 222GWh. This article is based on a report published by Etoday on 2026-10-20.
According to the report, the project secures fuel cell-based distributed power in Icheon and Paju to respond to growing electricity demand in the Seoul metropolitan area. It covers three plants: Icheon Eco Park, Paju Eco Park Unit 1 and Paju Eco Park Unit 2. Icheon Eco Park and Paju Eco Park Unit 1 began commercial operation on 2026-10-19, and Unit 2 is scheduled for November.
SK eternix is said to have been identifying sites since 2023 with the electricity demand of semiconductor clusters and AIDCs (AI Data Centers) in mind. The stated purpose is to secure distributed power in advance in regions where demand is expected to grow, in line with the intent of the hydrogen power bidding market. All three projects were reportedly selected in the 2024 general hydrogen power competitive bidding.
On the project structure, it is reported that in 2025 SK eternix co-invested with Insung Co., Ltd., a company with plant operation and management capabilities, to establish the project company Insung Dream Eco Park Co., Ltd. SK eternix reportedly handled the entire project process directly, including permitting, grid connection, EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) and financial structuring. The name of the construction contractor has not been disclosed.
The equipment reportedly uses high-efficiency SOFC from Bloom Energy of the United States. A SOFC is known to be a fuel cell that generates electricity through an electrochemical reaction between a fuel containing hydrogen and oxygen at high temperature, without a combustion process.
SK eternix is reported to have explained that fuel cells have few siting constraints and short construction periods, allowing a quick response to changes in power demand. It also reportedly stated that placing plants near demand centers reduces dependence on long-distance transmission.
Numbers
By plant, the capacities are 8.9MW for Icheon Eco Park, 9.9MW for Paju Eco Park Unit 1 and 9.2MW for Paju Eco Park Unit 2, for a total of 28MW. The total project cost is reported at about KRW 159.4 billion, which works out to roughly KRW 5.7 billion per MW of installed capacity.
With all three units in operation, expected annual generation is about 222GWh, reported to be equivalent to the amount of electricity about 53,000 households use in a year. Converted per household, this is roughly 4,200kWh per year.
Once all three units are running by year-end, SK eternix’s cumulative operating fuel cell capacity is said to reach 228MW. As existing facilities, Chungju Eco Park (40MW), Cheongju (20MW), Eumseong (20MW), Chilgok (20MW), Yakmok (9MW) and Boeun (20MW) are heard.
Timeline
- 2025-12-22 — SK eternix begins commercial operation of Chungju Eco Park (40MW); cumulative fuel cell operating scale at that time is 129MW
- 2026-10-19 — Icheon Eco Park (8.9MW) and Paju Eco Park Unit 1 (9.9MW) begin commercial operation
- 2026-10-20 — Commercial operation of the Icheon and Paju fuel cell plants is reported; Paju Eco Park Unit 2 (9.2MW) is scheduled for November
Note
SOFC (Solid Oxide Fuel Cell) is a fuel cell that uses a ceramic solid oxide as its electrolyte; it operates at high temperature and is known for high generation efficiency. Distributed power refers to small-scale generation installed near demand centers, as opposed to transmitting electricity over long distances from large power plants.