China has become the world’s leading hydrogen producer, producing around 33 million tonnes of hydrogen in 2021.
Following the release of a national plan in March to promote the hydrogen energy industry, local authorities in China are implementing detailed policies to take advantage of the emerging opportunities. The country aims to have 50,000 hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles and produce 100,000 to 200,000 tonnes of hydrogen annually from renewable energy by 2025. Jilin Province, a wind and photovoltaic power base in northeastern China, plans to build 400 hydrogen refueling stations by 2035, with an expected output value of over 100 billion yuan.
Jilin’s hydrogen production is powered by clean electricity generated by wind and photovoltaic power, and the province aims to become a national-level renewable hydrogen supply base by the end of 2025. This is a significant step towards a greener future, as hydrogen fuel is a clean and sustainable energy source that does not emit any greenhouse gases during operation.
Liu Lei, a coach driver in Baicheng City, has experienced the benefits of this transition firsthand. He used to drive a diesel bus that was difficult to start in the cold, but now with hydrogen fuel, it does not matter how cold it is in the winter, and he no longer smells like diesel after a day’s work. Liu’s vehicle is equipped with eight hydrogen storage tanks and the only emission during driving is water.
Jilin’s hydrogen energy industrial layout plan is expected to generate an output value of over 100 billion yuan and is expected to reduce 650,000 tonnes of carbon emissions every year. The province has abundant renewable energy resources, including 69 million kW of installed wind power capacity and 46 million kW of installed photovoltaic power capacity.
China’s green hydrogen production costs are declining as a result of increased technological breakthroughs. Last week, a demonstration project of green hydrogen and ammonia production broke ground in Jilin’s Da’an City, with a total investment of 6.3 billion yuan. This project is expected to produce 32,000 tonnes of green hydrogen annually under an installed capacity of 800,000 kW and will be operational by 2024.
In addition to Jilin, Anhui Province in east China also launched a megawatt-level integrated hydrogen utilization station in July. This station is expected to produce hydrogen from renewable energy sources, making it one of the most eco-friendly technologies.
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In conclusion, China’s hydrogen energy sector is advancing rapidly, with local authorities implementing detailed policies to take advantage of emerging opportunities. With the production of 33 million tonnes of hydrogen in 2021, China has become the world’s leading hydrogen producer. China’s hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle fleet is expected to reach 50,000 by 2025 and its annual hydrogen production from renewable energy is expected to reach 100,000 to 200,000 tonnes by the same year. The declining costs of green hydrogen production in China, thanks to technological advancements, is a positive development towards a greener future.
