Shandong province in East China has been ramping up efforts to boost its hydrogen energy economy and utilize the clean fuel source to facilitate the province's transition to a low-carbon energy mix.

By the end of 2020, the province had built 11 hydrogen refueling stations that provide a daily hydrogen supply capacity of 6,700 kg, the second highest in China. This capacity can meet the needs of 500 fuel cell buses.

Last year, the province issued a medium to long term development plan for the local hydrogen energy industry (2020-2030), underlining its goals to become a powerhouse in the hydrogen energy industry. The goals also involve setting up a national hydrogen energy and fuel cell demonstration zone that integrates innovative research and development, equipment manufacturing, product application and commercial operation of hydrogen energy.

An employee works on a production line of FAW Jiefang Automotive Co's subsidiary in Qingdao, Shandong province. [Photo by Liang Xiaopeng/For China Daily]

Official statistics show that by the end of 2020, the province had more than 120 hydrogen industry enterprises and research institutions, making it one of the regions with the most complete hydrogen industrial chain in China.

"In 2021, Shandong will intensify efforts to promote more than 40 new construction, expansion and technological upgrading projects related to the hydrogen energy industry, with investments exceeding 30 billion yuan ($4.64 billion)," said an official from the Energy Administration of Shandong province.

"During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), 100 hydrogen refueling stations and 10,000 fuel cell vehicles will be put into operation in Shandong, and the regional total output value of hydrogen energy industry will exceed 100 billion yuan."