Metals volatility drives electrolyser price inflation
PEM and alkaline electrolyser prices have risen by 30pc and 21pc respectively due to volatility in platinum, iridium and nickel markets, says consultancy Rystad Energy
Prices for polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) electrolysers are likely to stay high in 2023 amid tight supply of platinum group metals, according to consultancy Rystad Energy. Volatility in key metals for PEM and alkaline electrolysers has already caused respective price rises of 30pc and 21pc between 2020 and 2022. Platinum and iridium—used in catalyst coated membranes and crucial for PEM electrolysers—have seen particular volatility between January 2021 and the start of 2023. Rystad warns that prices for these metals are likely to increase over the coming year due to an approaching supply crunch. 212GW – Electrolyser capacity estimated by 2030 South Africa accounts for 83pc of glob
Also in this section
9 March 2026
Hydrogen has not stalled in the UK because the technology does not work. The problem is that the system around it does not yet move at the speed required
4 March 2026
Turmoil in Middle East reminds nascent clean hydrogen sector that its future prospects are dependent on global energy markets and geopolitics
25 February 2026
Low-carbon hydrogen and ammonia development is advancing much more slowly and unevenly than once expected, with high costs and policy uncertainty thinning investment. Meanwhile, surging energy demand is reinforcing the role of natural gas and LNG as the backbone of the global energy system, panellists at LNG2026 said
18 February 2026
Norwegian energy company has dropped a major hydrogen project and paused its CCS expansion plans as demand fails to materialise






