The National Energy Administration, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, and the State Administration for Market Regulation recently jointly issued the "Guidance on Promoting High-Quality Development of Energy Equipment" (Guo Neng Fa Ke Ji [2025] No. 78), which points out the direction for high-quality development of the energy equipment industry.
This document clearly states that by 2030, China's key energy equipment industry chain and supply chain will achieve self-reliance and control, with significant progress in high-end, intelligent, and green development. In the section on energy storage equipment, hydrogen energy is listed as a key development area, involving the entire chain of technology and equipment from production, storage and transportation, to application. The four departments have made it clear that through technological innovation and industrial upgrading, they will promote the large-scale application of hydrogen energy equipment, contributing to the construction of a new-type energy system.
I. Breakthroughs in Hydrogen Production Technology
The "Guidance" first focuses on the production stage in the hydrogen energy equipment section, emphasizing the need to accelerate breakthroughs in water electrolysis hydrogen production equipment. The document requires the development of highly reliable, long-life, and efficient water electrolysis hydrogen production equipment that can adapt to fluctuating power inputs.
This technical direction aims to promote the local consumption and utilization of renewable energy electricity. Large-scale off-grid hydrogen production technology is listed as a key development target, providing solutions for the absorption of unstable renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power. Breakthroughs in green hydrogen production equipment will directly contribute to deep decarbonization in sectors like transportation and industry.
II. Diversified Development of Storage and Transportation Equipment
The storage and transportation link is a critical bottleneck in the hydrogen energy industry chain, and the "Guidance" proposes a path for building a diversified equipment system.
In terms of materials, the document calls for the development of large-diameter, hydrogen embrittlement-resistant, high-grade steel pipeline materials, high-performance carbon fiber materials, and new composite materials. Breakthroughs in these material technologies are crucial for reducing the cost of hydrogen storage and transportation.
Regarding technological challenges, the four departments require intensified efforts in solid-state, liquid, cryogenic high-pressure composite, and organic liquid storage and transportation technologies, as well as connection technologies for long-distance hydrogen pipelines. This will provide multiple storage and transportation solutions for different scenarios. Specific equipment development goals include high-pressure tube bundle containers, high-displacement, high-pressure hydrogen compressors, and low-energy hydrogen liquefaction expanders, ultimately forming a diversified equipment system that integrates high-pressure gaseous, cryogenic liquid, and solid-state hydrogen storage.
III. Expansion of Hydrogen Energy Application Areas
The "Guidance" outlines a broad prospect for hydrogen energy applications, covering multiple fields such as industry, power, and transportation. In the energy sector, the document calls for overcoming key technologies such as long duration hydrogen energy storage and hydrogen-electric synergy. Hydrogen ESS is seen as an important technological approach to address the intermittency of renewable energy and the demand for long-duration energy storage. For industrial applications, breakthroughs will be made in key equipment such as hydrogen-rich shaft furnaces, hydrogen-blended/pure hydrogen gas turbines, and large power, high-stability fuel cells. These pieces of equipment will drive the decarbonization of industrial processes.
Hydrogen-based fuels were also highlighted, with the document calling for intensified research and development in key technologies such as carbon dioxide hydrogenation to methanol, ammonia combustion, high-efficiency catalysts, and flexible synthesis. This will promote the penetration of hydrogen energy into sectors like chemicals and fuels.
IV. Policy Support and Safeguard Measures
To ensure the achievement of the goals, the Guiding Opinions propose measures to optimize the industrial innovation ecosystem from seven aspects.
In terms of policy support, the document specifies the use of relending and fiscal discount policies, expanding medium and long-term loans for the manufacturing sector, and utilizing ultra-long-term special government bond funds to support large-scale equipment upgrades and technological transformation in key energy areas. Additionally, the document encourages the first application of innovative products and the establishment of a high-level standard system. These measures will help innovative products overcome the "valley of death" from the laboratory to the market.
Relevant officials from the Department of Science, Technology and Equipment of the National Energy Administration stated that relevant departments will strengthen strategic planning, coordination, and supervision according to their respective responsibilities, while local governments will simultaneously formulate differentiated implementation plans.
