FOLLOWING the release of a national plan in March aimed at promoting the development of the hydrogen energy industry, local authorities in China are drumming up detailed policies to seize emerging opportunities.

By 2025, the country will have about 50,000 hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles and its annual hydrogen production from renewable energy will reach 100,000 to 200,000 cubic tons, according to the plan jointly released by the National Development and Reform Commission, and the National Energy Administration.

Jilin Province, a wind and photovoltaic power base in Northeast China, unveiled its hydrogen energy industrial layout last month, announcing plans to build 400 hydrogen refueling stations by 2035, when its hydrogen energy industry is expected to generate an output value of over 100 billion yuan (US$13.9 billion).

Jilin, which is rich in renewable energy resources, produces hydrogen using clean electricity generated by wind and photovoltaic power. The province aims to become a national-level renewable hydrogen supply base by the end of 2025.

Hydrogen can be produced from various sources of primary energy, including coal, natural gas and renewable energy through power generation. Electrolysis can extract hydrogen, which can be stored and converted into electricity again when needed.

Green hydrogen is produced from renewable energy such as wind and photovoltaic power, making it one of the most eco-friendly technologies. China’s green hydrogen production costs are declining as a result of increased technological breakthroughs.

Jilin boasts wind resource on which 69 million kW of installed wind power capacity can be built, and solar resource on which 46 million kW of installed photovoltaic power capacity can be built, according to the layout plan it released.(Xinhua)