Official promotes hydrogen energy efforts
China DailyChina has emerged as the global leader in both hydrogen production and consumption, having successfully attained expertise in essential technologies across its industrial chain and production processes, a senior climate diplomat said. Hydrogen energy is one of the key enablers for global energy transition, serving as a crucial element in constructing a clean, low-carbon, secure and efficient energy system, stressed Zhao Yingmin, head of the Chinese delegation at the ongoing COP29 United Nations climate change conference. In 2022, the Chinese government rolled out a plan for the development of hydrogen energy for the 2021-2035 period, positioning the gas as a crucial component of the national energy system and also setting targets for various stages of industrial development, he noted. Jointly released by the National Development and Reform Commission and the National Energy Administration, the plan said the production of such green hydrogen is expected to facilitate the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions by 1 million to 2 million tons per year. Hydrogen production in China reached 35.5 million tons last year, representing 40 percent of the global total, he said, adding the annual demand for the energy in the country has been about 33 million tons.