Cummins Drives Domestic Green Hydrogen Economy Forward With First U.S. Electrolyzer Manufacturing Facility In Fridley, Minnesota

Cummins Inc. will begin producing electrolyzers in the United States of America (USA), underscoring the company’s continued dedication to advancing the nation’s green hydrogen economy. Electrolyzer production will take place in Fridley, Minnesota, starting at 500 megawatts (MW) of manufacturing capacity annually, scalable to 1 gigawatt (GW) in the future.

“Expanding Cummins’ electrolyzer manufacturing footprint to the United States is a milestone not only for our company, but an important step in advancing global decarbonization efforts,” said Alexey Ustinov, Vice President of Electrolyzers at Cummins.

Expanding Cummins’ footprint in the USA

Alexey Ustinov adds, “This is a reflection of increasing government support through the Inflation Reduction Act, Hydrogen Hubs and a blossoming hydrogen economy in the states. Cummins’ ability to leverage our manufacturing, engineering and sourcing knowledge to build capacity will help us meet increased customer demand and continue to accelerate the clean energy transition.”

Cummins plans to dedicate 89,000 sq. ft. of its existing Fridley facility to electrolyzer production

Cummins plans to dedicate 89,000 sq. ft. of its existing Fridley facility to electrolyzer production. Initially, the facility will manufacture its HyLYZER®-500 and HyLYZER®-5000 proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers here, with the potential to manufacture other electrolyzer products in the future. This range of products can accommodate power needs from 1.25 MW to more than 200 MW for both small- and large-scale hydrogen generation projects.

New electrolyzer manufacturing facility in Fridley

An electrolyzer separates water into oxygen and hydrogen. When the electrolyzer system is operated using renewable electricity – such as solar, wind or hydropower – the hydrogen it produces is ‘green’ and carbon free.

This green hydrogen can be stored as a compressed gas or a liquid and used as an energy-dense, clean power source to help decarbonize a variety of hard-to-abate sectors, such as heavy-duty transportation and industrial processes.

Growing global electrolyzer manufacturing footprint

This new production space in Fridley adds to Cummins’ growing global electrolyzer development and manufacturing footprint. The company recently announced expansion of PEM electrolyzer manufacturing capacity at its Belgium factory to 1 GW and has added space to its Mississauga, Canada, site.

Cummins is also building two new electrolyzer factories in Spain and China, each starting at 500 MW of manufacturing capacity and scalable to 1 GW.

Expanding electrolyzer capabilities to Minnesota

The company continues to evaluate new opportunities to grow in North America"

“Expanding our electrolyzer capabilities to Minnesota is Cummins’ first step in enhancing our ability to serve North American customers and meet growing demand for large-scale electrolysis projects globally,” said Alex Savelli, Managing Director of Electrolyzers – Americas at Cummins.

Alex Savelli adds, “The company continues to evaluate new opportunities to grow in North America that will enable us to extend our electrolyzer product range and manufacture next-generation technologies for larger, more demanding applications.”

History of advanced technology and engineering capabilities

Cummins has a long history of advanced technology and engineering capabilities, and innovates across a broad portfolio of market-renowned renewable hydrogen technologies.

The company has been part of many of the world’s hydrogen ‘firsts’, including powering the world’s largest PEM electrolyzer in operation at 20 MW in Bécancour, Canada, the world’s first megawatt-scale demonstration plant for storing wind energy in the natural gas grid in Windgas Falkenhagen, Germany, the world’s first 100% hydrogen-powered passenger train fleet in Lower Saxony, Germany, and the world’s first hydrogen refueling station for ships, cars, trucks and industrial customers in Antwerp, Belgium.

Cummins Advocating for Racial Equity (CARE) program

Choosing Fridley as the site for its first U.S. electrolyzer production plant highlights Cummins’ long-term commitment to the greater Twin Cities area and the favorable climate for investment there.

In addition to strengthening its physical roots in Fridley, the company is dedicated to helping the community in a variety of ways, including through its Cummins Advocating for Racial Equity (CARE) program and support for Black-owned businesses and mobile grocery markets in the greater Minneapolis area. 

Providing a clean energy source

We are proud to see continued growth of our robust industrial district to meet customer demand"

“The City was excited to hear the announcement of the United States’ first electrolyzer production plant would be built in the Fridley Cummins location,” said Scott Hickok, Community Development Director for the City of Fridley.

Scott Hickok adds, “We are proud to see continued growth of our robust industrial district to meet customer demand, while also providing a clean energy source. These efforts help drive the City’s Energy Action Plan to reduce community energy use through conservation and renewable energy. Thank you, Cummins, for continuing to choose Fridley and being a valued business in our community!”

Diverse economy and innovative culture

“We congratulate Cummins on choosing Minnesota as the location for its first electrolyzer production plant in the country,” said Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Commissioner, Steve Grove.

Steve Grove adds, “We’re proud that Cummins recognizes the many elements that make Minnesota a great place to expand business – from our strong work ethic and educated workforce to our diverse economy and innovative culture. Thank you for building what matters in Minnesota.”