Wuhan boasts fully fledged hydrogen energy industrial chain

The membrane electrode product testing process. [Photo provided to en.whkfq.gov.cn]

There are now believed to be over 60 upstream, midstream, and downstream companies operating in the hydrogen energy industrial chain of Wuhan, Central China's Hubei province.

They are mainly distributed in the Wuhan Economic and Technological Development Zone (WEDZ) and Qingshan district.

As one of the earliest cities in China to develop hydrogen energy, Wuhan has achieved a series of innovative results in hydrogen-related R&D, equipment manufacturing, and demonstration applications.

At the sixth China International Import Expo, Cummins, a Fortune 500 company, showcased its complete clean energy industrial chain layout, including fuel cells, electrolytic hydrogen production equipment, hydrogen storage cylinders, and diverse application scenarios.

Wang Guosheng, financial director of Cummins' East Asia Research and Development Center, said the company is focusing on hydrogen energy technology research and development and product applications, and will continue to increase its investment in Wuhan. Earlier this year, Cummins' hydrogen power building was completed and put into use in the WEDZ.

Wuhan's hydrogen energy industry also comprises State-owned enterprises such as SPIC, Dongfeng Motor Co, and China Three Gorges Co.

As of September, Wuhan had welcomed 489 hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, and set up 11 hydrogen refueling stations.

The China Hydrogen Alliance predicts that by 2050, hydrogen energy will account for more than 10 percent of China's terminal energy system, with an annual output value of 12 trillion yuan ($1.67 trillion).