Core Insights - Hydrogen energy is recognized as a crucial carrier for energy transition and is considered one of the most promising clean energy sources of the 21st century. The recent 2025 Hydrogen Industry Development Conference in Baotou, Inner Mongolia, marks a consensus that China's hydrogen industry is moving from pilot exploration to a new phase of orderly development [1][2]. Industry Development - The development of the hydrogen energy industry is significant for constructing a clean, low-carbon, safe, and efficient energy system, contributing to achieving carbon neutrality goals. The Energy Law of the People's Republic of China has incorporated hydrogen energy into the energy management system, promoting high-quality development of the hydrogen industry [2]. - China has established renewable energy hydrogen production projects that account for over 50% of global capacity, positioning itself as a leader in renewable hydrogen production and related industries. The hydrogen industry in regions like Inner Mongolia is rapidly developing, with several projects demonstrating positive results [2][3]. Production Capacity and Trends - As of the end of 2024, China has built a hydrogen production capacity of approximately 12.3 million tons per year, with Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, and Xinjiang accounting for over 70% of this capacity. There are ongoing projects with a capacity of about 1.4 million tons per year and planned projects exceeding 7 million tons [2]. - The hydrogen industry in China is currently in the late stage of its nascent phase, with significant advancements in hydrogen production, storage, transportation, and utilization technologies [3]. Future Expectations - The period around 2025 is anticipated to be a critical point for the scale development of hydrogen energy, with expectations for market-oriented products, precise support policies, sustainable business models, and concentrated application scenarios [4]. - The demand for green hydrogen during the 14th Five-Year Plan period is projected to be between 2.4 million tons and 4.3 million tons per year, with specific regional strategies for renewable energy hydrogen production [5]. Technological Advancements - The cost of green hydrogen is expected to approach that of gray hydrogen due to ongoing technological advancements. For instance, the cost of producing green hydrogen in Baotou is predicted to drop to 12 yuan per kilogram within a few years, leading to explosive market demand [5]. - The development of flexible hydrogen production technologies is crucial, as current renewable energy hydrogen production costs remain high. The industry faces challenges in balancing the volatility of renewable energy sources with the stability required for chemical production [6][7]. Infrastructure and Policy Support - There is a need for enhanced hydrogen storage and transportation infrastructure to ensure the profitability of the hydrogen industry. The unique properties of hydrogen pose challenges for transportation, necessitating further research into storage and transportation technologies [6][7]. - Future efforts should focus on supporting advanced technologies for hydrogen production, planning infrastructure for hydrogen pipelines, and establishing a national hydrogen industry layout to enhance market competitiveness [7].