SK ecoplant and Bloom Energy Establish Two Hydrogen Innovation Centers
Bloom Energy and SK ecoplant agreed to create Hydrogen Innovation Centers in the United States and South Korea. The intent is to significantly accelerate the global market expansion for Bloom Energy’s hydrogen fuel cell and hydrogen electrolyzer products. The agreement also reflects both Bloom Energy and SK ecoplant’s enhanced commitment to a zero-carbon future and the further implementation of environmental, social and governance practices.
In addition, Bloom Energy and SK ecoplant agreed to strengthen their strategic alliance through expanding business cooperation in global markets, which may include exclusive distribution rights in select new markets.
SK ecoplant to Invest Approximately $500 Million in Bloom Energy
SK ecoplant will invest $255 million in Bloom Energy by acquiring 10 million shares of zero coupon, non-voting redeemable convertible preferred stock at a price of $25.50 per share. SK ecoplant has the option to acquire a minimum of an additional 11 million shares of Class A common stock at a 15 percent premium to the prevailing stock price at the time, which must be no later than November 30, 2023 and is subject to a maximum ownership of 15 percent.
Upon completion of SK ecoplant’s purchase of its second tranche, SK ecoplant will add a member to the Bloom Energy Board of Directors. SK will give an irrevocable proxy to vote its shares to Bloom Energy.
Bloom Energy intends to use the proceeds for market growth, rapid commercialization of hydrogen solutions, and for general corporate purposes.
Timing and Advisors
The investment is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals and is expected to close within 45 days.
Centerview Partners LLC is serving as financial advisor to Bloom Energy.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, which are subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events or our future financial or operating performance. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements because they contain words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “should,” “will” and “would” or the negative of these words or similar terms or expressions that concern Bloom’s expectations, strategy, priorities, plans or intentions. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, expectations for a successful expansion of the partnership between the two companies; the scope and terms of the proposed partnership; ability of the companies to fortify their market leadership position in the global hydrogen economy; intention to create Hydrogen Innovation Centers; statements about Bloom’s hydrogen fuel cells and electrolyzers; potential size of investment by SK ecoplant in Bloom; and the expected timing of the closing of the investment transaction. Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are only predictions and may differ materially from actual future events or results due to a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the risks related to the satisfaction of the conditions to the closing of the first or second tranches; the success of the strategic partnership in United States and international markets; the risks related to the ability of the existing partnership to fortify the companies market leadership in power generation and to establish market leadership in the hydrogen economy; timing and development of an ecosystem for the hydrogen market, including in the Korean market; the emerging nature of the distributed generation market and rapidly
