China's National Energy Administration (NEA) on Monday released the country's first-ever hydrogen energy development report, revealing that the country's hydrogen production and consumption topped 36.5 million tons in 2024, securing the top spot worldwide.
According to the report, by the end of 2024, renewable energy-based hydrogen production projects worldwide had an annual capacity of over 250,000 tons, with China contributing more than half of the total, positioning the country as a leader in global hydrogen production from renewable energy sources and related industries.
"In 2024, hydrogen production in China's 'Three-North' regions (northwest, north and northeast China) accounted for more than half of the national total, with Inner Mongolia, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Ningxia and other regions all ranking among the top positions. By the end of 2024, over 600 water electrolysis hydrogen production projects were planned across the country, with more than 150 already under construction or completed, yielding an annual production capacity of around 125,000 tons. These projects are mainly concentrated in northwest and north China, together accounting for nearly 90 percent of the country's total established hydrogen production capacity," said Xu Jilin, deputy director of the NEA's energy conservation and sci-tech equipment department, at a press conference in Beijing on Monday.
The report underscores China's significant advancements in hydrogen production, storage, transport, and utilization technologies.
Several large-scale renewable energy-based hydrogen production projects have been completed and put into operation, and the pilot application of fuel cell vehicles has been steadily advancing, with more than 540 hydrogen refueling stations built across the country, according to the report.
China leads global hydrogen production, consumption in 2024: report
