China has taken a significant step towards realising its clean energy ambitions, with the launch of its first interprovincial green hydrogen pipeline, Hydrogen Fuel News reports. Spearheaded by Sinopec, the country’s leading hydrogen producer, the pioneering project will transport wind-powered green hydrogen from Ulanqab in Inner Mongolia to Beijing, traversing a distance of nearly 400 kilometres.
The project received formal approval from the Inner Mongolia Energy Bureau, and construction is now under way. Once operational, the pipeline will carry up to 100,000 tonnes of green hydrogen annually to Sinopec’s Yanshan petrochemical complex in the capital, with capacity expected to increase to 500,000 tonnes in future phases.
The pipeline forms part of China’s broader strategy to decarbonise heavy industry and build an integrated national hydrogen economy. It also aims to reduce the waste of renewable energy in areas such as Inner Mongolia, which boast vast wind and solar resources but often lack the infrastructure to utilise them effectively.
Technological breakthrough
At the core of the initiative is a 1-GW wind-powered electrolysis plant in Ulanqab. Wind turbines generate electricity which is then used to split water into hydrogen and oxygen through electrolysis. The resulting hydrogen is compressed and pumped through the newly laid pipeline to Beijing, where it will be employed in refining, chemical manufacturing and other energy-intensive sectors.
Unlike earlier hydrogen networks along China’s coast – many of which still rely on fossil fuels – this inland, cross-regional system signals a shift towards a new generation of green energy infrastructure the report continues. It establishes a vital supply link between the energy-rich interior and the consumption-heavy Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei economic corridor.
The significance of this development extends well beyond its engineering scope. By establishing a cost-effective method of transporting hydrogen – one that avoids the high expenses associated with trucking or blending with natural gas – it addresses longstanding logistical barriers in China’s hydrogen economy.
Moreover, the pipeline may help alleviate the problem of renewable energy curtailment, whereby wind or solar electricity goes unused due to a lack of transmission capacity or demand. By creating a direct conduit between surplus energy zones and industrial centres, China is laying the groundwork for a more flexible and resilient energy grid.
There are broader policy implications as well. The project forms part of Inner Mongolia’s regional hydrogen blueprint, which follows a “one line, two loops, four outlets” strategy for pipeline development. It also aligns closely with national plans outlined by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), which has prioritised clean hydrogen production and co-firing in its most recent energy directives.
Market outlook
Despite its promise, the project’s success may ultimately rest on market uptake. If industrial demand for hydrogen fails to keep pace with supply – or if pricing frameworks are not supportive – the pipeline could struggle to achieve its economic potential in the short term.
However, momentum is building. With Sinopec at the helm, and with strong regulatory backing, analysts suggest this project could catalyse further investment across the clean hydrogen value chain, from ammonia production to hydrogen-powered transport and storage solutions.
Should the pipeline deliver on its promise, it could serve as a model for future hydrogen networks both within China and globally.
