In a remarkable move towards greener energy solutions, China’s largest onshore oil and gas operator, PetroChina, has secured government approval for the construction of a major solar-to-hydrogen project in Gansu province, signaling a momentous step in the country’s pursuit of clean and sustainable energy.

This groundbreaking project is set to be the first of many such initiatives to be integrated into the company’s existing domestic onshore fields, bolstering China’s position as a leading hydrogen producer and reaffirming its commitment to a low-carbon future.

The project, located at the mature Yumen oilfield in Gansu province, will be executed by PetroChina’s parent company, China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), through its contractor arm, China Petroleum Engineering & Construction Company (CPECC). The key objective of the project is to harness solar energy for water electrolysis, generating hydrogen, a clean and renewable fuel, and contributing to the decarbonization of the region’s energy sector.

Scheduled for completion at the end of the next year, the project will house four water electrolysis hydrogen production units, each with an impressive capacity of 1000 cubic meters per hour. Once operational in late 2024, the project is projected to produce an impressive 2100 tonnes per annum of green hydrogen, showcasing China’s commitment to scaling up its green energy production capacity.

The heart of the project lies in the photovoltaic power generation module, boasting an installed capacity of 30 megawatts peak solely dedicated to hydrogen production through electrolysis. This facility has an annual average power generation capacity of 50,578 megawatt-hours and is efficiently connected to the hydrogen production units through a 35-kilovolt transmission line.

Crucially, the project aims to establish an export pipeline spanning 6.7 kilometers, enabling the transportation of hydrogen from the production units to the Yumen refinery and a local chemical industry zone, where hydrogen will be utilized as feedstock. Additionally, the project will include essential offsite facilities, such as a hydrogen production laboratory and storage tanks, ensuring seamless operations.

CPECC, responsible for the EPC services, will oversee the construction of various crucial components, including alkaline water electrolysers, gas-liquid separation devices, processing units, high and low-pressure hydrogen compressors, and storage tanks. This initiative marks CNPC’s first foray into large-scale electrolysis water hydrogen production, a significant milestone in advancing China’s green hydrogen infrastructure.

China’s determination to establish itself as a leading player in the hydrogen arena is evident in its ambitious targets. The China Hydrogen Energy Alliance forecasts an increase in China’s hydrogen demand to 35 million tonnes per annum by 2030, growing further to 60 million tonnes per annum by 2050, constituting 10% of the nation’s energy demand mix.

PetroChina’s commitment to the transition towards low-carbon energy is commendable. The company aims for net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050, and the successful implementation of this mega solar-to-hydrogen project will undoubtedly contribute significantly to achieving this goal. China’s push towards renewable energy solutions, especially solar-to-hydrogen projects, showcases its dedication to fostering a cleaner, more sustainable future, while also revolutionizing the global energy landscape.

As China spearheads the solar-to-hydrogen movement with PetroChina’s pioneering efforts, the world looks on with anticipation, hopeful that these monumental projects will herald a new era of clean energy transformation and shape the future of sustainable development on a global scale.