Recent advancements in hydrogen energy development demonstrate a positive trend in the integration of production, storage, transportation, and utilization. At the 2025 International Hydrogen Energy Conference and Exhibition, numerous innovative hydrogen products, technologies, and solutions were showcased. These included the world’s first “replaceable hydrogen” heavy-duty trucks, which can refuel in just five minutes and achieve a single operational range of 500 kilometers, along with an integrated smart hydrogen refueling robot capable of autonomous refueling for extended periods, significantly reducing labor costs.
Moreover, hydrogen-powered drones, known for their long endurance and low-temperature resilience, and seawater hydrogen production equipment that conserves precious freshwater resources were also highlighted. As China’s new energy system accelerates, there is increasing attention on the orderly advancement of hydrogen energy development and utilization.
Currently, the global energy landscape is undergoing profound adjustments, and the green transition is entering a new phase, driven by a new wave of technological revolution and industrial transformation. Hydrogen energy is recognized as a green, low-carbon energy source with flexible conversion capabilities, making it a vital choice for major economies aiming for low-carbon energy transitions. As the largest producer and consumer of hydrogen globally, China is prioritizing hydrogen energy as a strategic emerging industry.
In March 2022, the National Development and Reform Commission and the National Energy Administration released the “Medium and Long-Term Plan for Hydrogen Energy Industry Development (2021-2035),” which outlines the strategic positioning of hydrogen energy and establishes goals for building a hydrogen supply system and promoting its applications. The Energy Law of the People’s Republic of China, which took effect in January 2025, emphasizes the central role of hydrogen energy and has led to the implementation of several measures to support high-quality development in this sector, accelerating the industrialization of hydrogen energy.
Technological advancements in renewable energy hydrogen production are progressing rapidly. At the exhibition, many well-known hydrogen energy companies showcased their latest electrolyzer products, demonstrating a diverse array of innovations. In the transportation sector, numerous enterprises displayed next-generation high-power density fuel cells and long-lasting membrane electrode technologies, achieving top international performance standards. A flagship model from Guangzhou Haipote Technology, the H49 hydrogen fuel cell heavy-duty truck, boasts a range exceeding 1,000 kilometers, marking a significant breakthrough in China’s hydrogen commercial vehicle technology.
According to Bian Guangqi, Deputy Director of the Energy Conservation and Technology Equipment Department of the National Energy Administration, all aspects of hydrogen energy production, storage, transportation, and utilization in China are showing positive development trends. Several large-scale renewable hydrogen production projects have been established in Xinjiang and Ningxia, demonstrating the full process from renewable hydrogen production to storage, transportation, and application.
By 2024, global renewable hydrogen production capacity is expected to exceed 250,000 tons, with China accounting for more than 50%, positioning the country as a leader in the renewable hydrogen industry. As 2025 marks the end of the 14th Five-Year Plan and the planning year for the 15th Five-Year Plan, continued implementation of hydrogen energy development goals is essential. Bian Guangqi stated that there will be increased policy support to further clarify hydrogen energy development goals within the 15th Five-Year Plan, promote scientific planning for hydrogen projects and industries, and facilitate coordinated development across the entire hydrogen energy supply chain.
Moreover, regulatory measures will be enhanced to establish and improve management standards for hydrogen energy projects across various regions, continuously refining standards and certification systems for hydrogen energy development.
The Energy Law explicitly mandates the progressive and orderly advancement of hydrogen energy development, reinforcing the government’s commitment to hydrogen energy and the transformation of the energy structure. This inclusion reflects a determination to build a comprehensive system for the hydrogen industry, which presents higher requirements for industrial development and management.
Overall, the hydrogen industry is still in its initial stages of industrialization, facing numerous challenges such as economic viability. According to Yan Guochun, a member of the Party Leadership Group and Deputy General Manager of China Energy Group, it is crucial to foster an open and innovative ecosystem to drive global cooperation in the hydrogen supply chain and leverage worldwide innovative resources and achievements for the effective development of the hydrogen industry.
Cost-effectiveness is key to large-scale hydrogen adoption. Academician Gan Yong from the Chinese Academy of Engineering identifies three main levers for reducing costs in green hydrogen: producing hydrogen efficiently in abundant renewable resource areas; transporting hydrogen via large-capacity pipelines to consumption-heavy regions; and employing geological storage solutions for hydrogen.
Accelerating the cost reduction of hydrogen production relies on enhancing technological innovation and supporting energy technology innovation platforms, as well as demonstrating integrated applications. China has established numerous research institutions and innovation platforms related to hydrogen energy, forming a preliminary hydrogen energy industry chain and technology chain. The three main technological segments include hydrogen production and storage technology, hydrogen storage and distribution technology, and hydrogen raw material and power technology.
The China Hydrogen Alliance’s “Research on the Development Roadmap for Hydrogen Energy Technology” indicates that by 2035, off-grid hydrogen production from renewable energy generation will become a significant trend, with continuous declines in electricity prices for renewable energy and accelerated iterations of electrolysis technology. The primary applications for hydrogen will remain in transportation and industrial sectors, while hydrogen’s role in power generation and construction will also expand.
In light of these developments, it is crucial to enhance support for hydrogen technology innovation, addressing current weaknesses in China’s hydrogen technology. A comprehensive and top-down design approach is needed, focusing on formulating a national-level hydrogen energy development roadmap to continuously improve the hydrogen technology innovation system and promote high-quality development of the hydrogen industry.
Advancing into the deep sea, marine hydrogen energy represents a strategic intersection of energy revolution and the construction of a maritime powerhouse. It is a critical component of the global hydrogen supply system and a pivotal point for scaling deep-sea wind energy development. Transforming wind and solar resources into green hydrogen and hydrogen-based fuels not only addresses the challenges of renewable energy absorption in deep-sea areas but also extends the value chain into hydrogen-based green fuels, significantly supporting the establishment of global green shipping corridors and enhancing national energy security and international trade in hydrogen-based fuels.
On March 27, China’s first integrated marine hydrogen-ammonia-methanol project was completed in Yantai, Shandong, and has entered the commissioning phase, laying the groundwork for operational testing and verification of offshore hydrogen production processes. This project is a collaboration among China Energy Group Hydrogen Energy Technology Co., Yantai CIMC Raffles Offshore Engineering Co., and Guoneng Hydrogen Innovation Technology (Beijing) Co. It aims to utilize offshore renewable energy for off-grid hydrogen production, converting green hydrogen into easily stored ammonia and methanol, which serve as clean fuels for ships and important industrial raw materials.
China’s coastal areas possess rich wind, solar, and seawater resources, offering advantages for producing green hydrogen from green electricity. Directly electrolyzing seawater for hydrogen can efficiently convert unstable green electricity into readily storable green hydrogen, saving valuable freshwater resources and opening new pathways for hydrogen energy development.
The successful advancement of the first integrated marine hydrogen-ammonia-methanol project signifies a comprehensive breakthrough in offshore hydrogen production technology. Innovations such as corrosion-resistant alkaline electrolyzer technology from CIMC, a megawatt-level direct seawater electrolysis device developed by Tsinghua University, and successful applications of modular hydrogen production equipment have validated the reliability of these technologies in real marine scenarios. Additionally, Goldwind Technology’s collaborative scheduling model for wind power hydrogen production and energy storage has achieved efficient energy absorption, while the China Classification Society’s “Design Guidelines for Marine Hydrogen Production Platforms” fills an industry gap with the first design standards for offshore hydrogen production facilities.
As technology matures and costs decrease, seawater hydrogen production technology is expected to achieve large-scale industrial applications in the future. Currently, China is accelerating research on seawater hydrogen production, with universities and research institutions actively addressing technological challenges in this area. Liu Wei, Secretary-General of the China Hydrogen Alliance and Director of the Hydrogen Energy Division of China Energy Group, emphasizes three major scenarios for marine hydrogen energy: near-shore “semi-marine and semi-land” wind power assisting industrial decarbonization, deep-sea “fully marine” hydrogen-ammonia integrated energy hubs, and “zero-carbon islands” providing integrated marine hydrogen energy solutions.
Based on the China Hydrogen Alliance’s strategic vision, marine hydrogen energy is expected to realize the vision of offshore energy hubs. It is recommended to promote marine hydrogen energy development from technological, equipment, regulatory, and industrial policy perspectives, establishing a marine hydrogen-based energy network and advancing the establishment of a global legal framework and international agreements for marine hydrogen energy.
