China's Hubei releases hydrogen development draft plan

Market: Hydrogen
14/10/24

China's Hubei province has released a draft plan to accelerate development of its hydrogen industry by 2027, and is seeking industry feedback.

The province seeks to double the scale of its hydrogen industry by that time, with a target output value of 100bn yuan ($13.7bn), according to the draft. The plan aims to promote technological breakthroughs, enhance industrial and supply chains and build a hydrogen storage and transportation network.

It envisions the city of Wuhan as the core of Hubei's hydrogen industry, and it aims to establish a national hydrogen equipment centre focused on electrolysers and fuel cells. It promotes renewable hydrogen technologies, such as biomass-based hydrogen production.

Hubei plans to explore pilot projects for hydrogen-blended pipelines and pure hydrogen pipelines, while prioritising construction of hydrogen refuelling stations.

For transportation-related hydrogen projects, the province will provide subsidies covering up to 20pc of equipment costs, with a maximum of Yn10mn per project.

The province already has 100 hydrogen refuelling stations and hydrogen production capacity of 1.5mn t/yr, according to the draft, although the vast majority, if not all, of this will be from fossil fuels with unabated emissions.

To support innovation, the province offers a one-time subsidy of Yn10mn for hydrogen-related technology centres and Yn5mn for national labs and research centres. Additionally, it plans to establish a provincial hydrogen energy innovation project database, focusing on technologies like solid-state hydrogen storage and solid oxide fuel cells. For major projects, a subsidy of up to 10pc of investment is offered, capped at Yn5mn per project. The plan does not specify what counts as a major project.

The province will also support key manufacturers of fuel cell components and promote fuel cell use in vehicles, ships, and power stations, according to the draft. Hubei plans to establish a provincial hydrogen energy industry alliance and encourage stakeholders to participate in setting industry standards.

By Akansha Victor

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