New Plymouth Township 'Gigafactory' Gets $50M For Development: Dingell

PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP, MI — A new $400 million "gigafactory" that's coming to Plymouth Township will receive $50 million for development from the Department of Energy’s Hydrogen Fuel Technologies Office, according to Michigan Congresswoman Debbie Dingell.

Nel Hydrogen, a Norwegian hydrogen company, is planning to build a 507,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in the township. The factory will be used to build components for hydrogen production.

The funding is part of a $750 million investment in 52 projects across 24 states to dramatically reduce the cost of clean hydrogen.

No details were shared about where exactly the facility will be built or when construction may start.

"This investment will create hundreds of good-paying jobs, bring millions of dollars to our local economy, and keep Michigan at the forefront of clean energy innovation and technology," Dingell said in a news release. "Green hydrogen is one of the most promising technologies in the transition to a clean energy future, and will support the industries that have long been central to our state, from mobility to manufacturing."

Through electrolysis, hydrogen can be produced from water and renewable energy. As the most abundant and lightest element in the universe, hydrogen can play a significant role in accelerating Michigan’s clean-energy transition away from fossil fuels.

After considering numerous states across the U.S., Nel CEO Håkon Volldal said the company chose Michigan thanks to the engagement from Governor Whitmer, in addition to what the state could offer, from its highly skilled workforce and financial incentives to the collaboration among the state’s universities, research institutions and strategic partners.

"NEL Hydrogen and many other businesses are settling in the MITC corridor, creating good-paying jobs, expanding our tax base, and cleaning our environment. NEL Hydrogen’s selection of Plymouth Township reflects a collaborative effort between the Township, State, and Federal Government. Job creators, entrepreneurs, and innovators know that Plymouth Township is business-friendly and focused on the future. We’re looking forward to working with NEL to get this exciting project up and running," Plymouth Township Supervisor Kurt Heise said.