China is setting its sights on substantial industrial-scale breakthroughs in hydrogen energy throughout its fifteenth Five-Year Plan interval (2026-30), with a strategic intention to realize regional self-sufficiency in renewable and clear low-carbon hydrogen.
This formidable aim will probably be supported by the formation of a complete technological innovation system and sturdy infrastructure, propelling the sector into a brand new part of large-scale, market-oriented growth, in keeping with high energy officers.
The nation cemented its preeminent world standing in hydrogen growth final yr, with whole hydrogen manufacturing and consumption exceeding 36.5 million metric tons, securing its place because the world chief, stated Liu Deshun, director-general of the National Energy Administration”s science and know-how division.
This dominance extends to infrastructure, with China boasting over 560 hydrogen fueling stations and the world’s largest fleet of gas cell business automobiles, exceeding 25,000 items, Liu stated through the just lately held High-quality Development of Hydrogen Industry discussion board, a sub-forum of the 2025 International Forum on Energy Transition organized by the NEA in Suzhou, Jiangsu province.
Furthermore, its capability for renewable energy-based hydrogen manufacturing now accounts for over 50 p.c of the worldwide whole, underscoring its important position in the clear hydrogen transition, he added.
Liu additionally highlighted China’s vigorous push for technological innovation, with 27 “first-of-a-kind “hydrogen energy gear gadgets recognized throughout 5 batches in current years.
Industry specialists consider China’s hydrogen business has entered a speedy growth part, supported by a sequence of coverage measures.
The Energy Law launched final yr formally included hydrogen in China’s energy administration framework, representing the chemical’s big growth potential and scalable utility eventualities, stated Bian Guangqi, deputy director-general of the NEA’s science and know-how division.
According to business forecasts, world hydrogen demand may attain a whole bunch of tens of millions of tons by 2050, with green hydrogen accounting for almost all.
As China intensifies efforts to realize its carbon peaking and neutrality objectives, green hydrogen and green methanol are rising as crucial options for deep decarbonization, stated Lin Boqiang, head of the China Institute for Studies in Energy Policy at Xiamen University.
Lin emphasised hydrogen’s position as an considerable, green, low-carbon and versatile secondary energy supply that, by deep synergy with different energy varieties, can foster a various and built-in new energy system.
China has cultivated the world’s most intensive hydrogen business system, marked by speedy progress throughout all segments — manufacturing, storage, transport and utility, he stated.
The NEA stated that by the top of 2024, the nation’s annual hydrogen manufacturing capability had surpassed 50 million tons, with whole output exceeding 36.5 million tons, cementing its standing as each the most important producer and client of hydrogen globally.
The deployment of large-scale renewable energy-based hydrogen manufacturing tasks is gaining momentum, significantly in resource-rich areas such because the northwestern, northern and northeastern elements of the nation, stated Bian.
Approximately 600 renewable hydrogen manufacturing tasks have been deliberate nationwide as of September, with round 100 already operational, contributing an estimated capability of 220,000 tons per yr.
This strategic integration is predicted to considerably improve renewable energy useful resource allocation and utilization, unlocking broader prospects for growth, stated Bian.
Bian added that China has additionally nurtured a dynamic and built-in hydrogen energy innovation ecosystem, characterised by lively funding from a various array of enterprises, alongside analysis establishments, driving breakthroughs in elementary analysis, crucial applied sciences and disruptive improvements.
This collaborative setting comprehensively covers core supplies, elements, manufacturing gear and manufacturing processes, offering sturdy help for the business’s structure and scaled manufacturing, he stated, including that the NEA has been actively engaged in worldwide cooperation inside the hydrogen sector, contributing to world efforts towards a clear and low-carbon energy transition by offering crucial gear and green hydrogen merchandise to worldwide tasks.