① Regional hydrogen energy pilots are a key measure to address the challenges in the development of the hydrogen energy industry and promote high-quality industrial growth. ② Not long ago, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Finance, and the National Development and Reform Commission jointly issued a notice on comprehensive hydrogen energy application pilot projects. ③ Brokerage firms pointed out that the volatility of global energy prices has intensified, and 2026 may become a turning point for the green hydrogen industry.
According to a report by The Science and Technology Innovation Board Daily on April 15th, the National Energy Administration held a meeting today to advance regional pilot projects for hydrogen energy in the energy sector. The meeting comprehensively reviewed the progress of the pilots, focused on addressing key bottlenecks, and outlined priorities for the next phase to accelerate the cultivation of future hydrogen energy industries.
The National Development and Reform Commission and the National Energy Administration have been deeply implementing the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council. They have continuously improved top-level design, introduced a series of policy measures including implementation plans, technological innovation, standards and norms, and demonstration applications, driving China’s hydrogen energy industry into a critical stage of scaled and industrialized development.
The meeting emphasized that regional hydrogen energy pilots are a key measure to address the challenges in the development of the hydrogen energy industry and promote high-quality industrial growth.
First, it is necessary to focus on the development goals of the ’15th Five-Year Plan’ and the construction of an energy powerhouse, adhere to localized and coordinated policies, and make greater efforts to deepen and solidify the pilot programs.
Second, it is essential to strengthen scientific and technological innovation, promote the transformation of advanced technology achievements, and facilitate the demonstration and application of first-of-a-kind equipment.
Third, it is important to accelerate institutional reform and boldly advance mechanism innovations such as hydrogen energy trading and green certification.
Fourth, there should be increased policy support and stronger guarantees for key factors.
Fifth, it is crucial to enhance coordination and collaboration among pilot projects, adopt a holistic approach, clarify responsibilities, and consolidate developmental momentum. The tangible results of regional hydrogen energy pilots will provide strong support for ensuring national energy security, promoting green and low-carbon energy transition, and accelerating the construction of a modern industrial system.
Not long ago, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Finance, and the National Development and Reform Commission jointly issued a notice on comprehensive hydrogen energy application pilot projects. The pilot projects will expand hydrogen energy application scenarios from fuel cell vehicles to diversified fields such as transportation and industry, enhance the supply capacity of clean and low-carbon hydrogen, overcome technical bottlenecks in hydrogen energy applications, break through industrial barriers, and ultimately form replicable commercial application models. These efforts aim to build an efficient comprehensive hydrogen energy application system, promote integrated development across the entire ‘production, storage, transportation, and usage’ industrial chain, improve the industrial policy environment, and create a high-quality industrial ecosystem.
At the same time, local governments are also accelerating the promotion of the hydrogen energy industry to achieve scaled deployment and commercial implementation. Previous media reports indicated that multiple provinces, including Fujian, Inner Mongolia, Guangdong, and Jiangsu, will advance the scaled development of hydrogen energy by 2026 and study relevant supportive policy measures.
Securities firms pointed out that policy guidance and fiscal support have expanded from fuel cell vehicles during the ’14th Five-Year Plan’ period to green hydrogen and its downstream multi-scenario applications. The hydrogen energy industry is expected to achieve scaled development and accelerated industrialization under substantial policy support.
Huatai Securities stated that it is optimistic about the intensive policy catalysts for domestic green hydrogen, increasingly stringent carbon emission constraints in overseas transportation, and amplified fluctuations in global energy prices amid geopolitical disruptions in the Middle East. The year 2026 may become a turning point for the green hydrogen industry.
In terms of investment directions, analysts believe that multiple segments of the industrial chain are expected to benefit:
1) Domestic green hydrogen ammonia-alcohol project operators: Recommend Yunda Shares. Other companies related to the industrial chain include: Goldwind Technology, Mingyang Smart Energy, Fjie Technology, Jiaze New Energy, and China Tianying.
2) Ammonia-alcohol production equipment suppliers: Companies related to the industrial chain include: Aerospace Engineering, China First Heavy Industries, Lanshi Heavy Equipment, and Sinomach Heavy Equipment.
3) Electrolyzer suppliers: Recommend Sungrow Power Supply, LONGi Green Energy Technology, and Shuangliang Energy Saving. Other companies in the industrial chain include Huadian Heavy Industries.