A process is described for electrolytically producing nickel electrodes by subjecting a porous nickel structure (generally a nickel plaque) to alternating anodic and cathodic pulses in an aqueous halide (generally chloride) solution. The alternating pulses first anodically dissolve the nickel from the porous nickel plaque and then cathodically precipitate the nickel in the form of the hydroxide. Particularly attractive is the use of a stable, simple solution, room temperature operation and the broad variation in operating conditions (pH, etc.) that still produce optimum results.