On October 18, 2024, the China Hydrogen Energy Industry Conference took place at the Qiaoshan Cultural Center in Nanhai, Foshan. The conference was themed “Hydrogen Energy: The Future of Global Green Transformation.” It included an opening ceremony, presentations from academicians, and a seminar focusing on green finance and green hydrogen energy. During the opening ceremony, two significant plans were announced: the “Ammonia-Hydrogen Supply System Construction Plan for Nanhai District” and the “Implementation Plan for the Hydrogen Energy Two-Wheel Vehicle Industry Demonstration Project.” Additionally, the construction of hydrogen refueling stations along the Guo-Zhan Hydrogen Energy Highway was officially launched at the event.
Zheng Ke, Vice Chairman of the Guangdong Provincial Political Consultative Conference and Secretary of the Foshan Municipal Committee, emphasized that Foshan is one of the first cities in China to develop the hydrogen energy sector. Particularly, Nanhai District has been pioneering since it attracted its first hydrogen energy company in 2009. Over the past 15 years, Nanhai has successfully fostered the growth of the hydrogen energy industry from scratch and is now charting a new path for high-quality development in this field. The China Hydrogen Energy Industry Conference has been held in Foshan for eight consecutive years, promoting interaction and collaboration among government, industry, academia, and research, thereby facilitating technological innovation and industrial progress. Looking ahead, Foshan aims to extend utmost sincerity, an optimal environment, and the best services to welcome entrepreneurs and innovators to work together in realizing a promising future for the hydrogen energy industry.
Several leading projects were unveiled at the conference. Since being designated the “Capital of China’s Hydrogen Energy Industry” in 2023, Nanhai District has dedicated substantial efforts to the development of the hydrogen energy sector, achieving multiple “national-first” and “industry-first” initiatives. The conference showcased several pioneering plans and projects, including the “Ammonia-Hydrogen Supply System Construction Plan for Nanhai District” and the “Implementation Plan for the Hydrogen Energy Two-Wheel Vehicle Industry Demonstration Project.” Moreover, eleven projects completed their signing ceremonies at the event, including the announcement of the “Nanhai Global Art Sailing Program,” which is China’s first art initiative integrating hydrogen energy.
The “Ammonia-Hydrogen Supply System Construction Plan for Nanhai District” sets a precedent for national ammonia-hydrogen supply systems. This plan focuses on implementing a “1+8+N” strategic layout to create a tripartite ammonia-hydrogen supply network that links districts, towns, and enterprises, effectively promoting optimization and upgrading of the hydrogen energy industry, boosting technological innovation, and enabling market-driven advancements. The “Implementation Plan for the Hydrogen Energy Two-Wheel Vehicle Industry Demonstration Project” aims to deploy no fewer than 15,000 hydrogen-powered two-wheel vehicles in Nanhai District by the end of 2025.
On the same day, several Nanhai hydrogen energy companies showcased new products and production lines. Notably, Mona Lisa announced the launch of the world’s first ceramic industrial ammonia-hydrogen zero-carbon combustion technology production line, marking a significant advancement in low and zero-carbon industrial kilns. This initiative will provide technical support and data accumulation for promoting the application of ammonia-hydrogen fusion energy technologies in China, while also offering new technologies, standards, and demonstrations for reducing carbon emissions in the construction ceramics industry. Other companies such as Guangdong Qingneng New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. and Guangdong Kavoro Hydrogen Technology Co., Ltd. also presented their new products at the event.
To further support the hydrogen energy sector, Zhang Xiaoqiang, a special consultant at the China International Economic Exchange Center, highlighted the importance of enhancing financial support for technological and industrial innovation in hydrogen energy. As a result, the conference included a workshop focusing on green finance and green hydrogen energy, aiming to explore how green finance mechanisms can facilitate the healthy and rapid development of the hydrogen energy industry in a complementary and synergistic manner.
Currently, Nanhai has established a comprehensive green finance system that offers sustained, stable, and low-cost funding for the hydrogen energy industry. The Nanhai Industrial Group is actively investing in the Enze Fund, with an initial funding of 199 million yuan directed towards hydrogen energy and related sectors. By the end of 2023, Enze Fund’s first phase had seen its investments appreciate by 650 million yuan, achieving a value growth rate of 49.43%. Nanhai is also actively preparing to contribute 300 million yuan to the second phase of the Enze Fund. Additionally, there are plans to establish a 1 billion yuan industry development fund and a 200 million yuan Blue Ocean Tech Innovation Angel Investment Fund, focused on hydrogen energy and ammonia-hydrogen fusion equipment manufacturing. The leadership and demonstration effects of government capital not only bolster market confidence but also guide social capital investments, laying a solid foundation for the long-term development of the hydrogen energy industry. Furthermore, by leveraging the Qian Deng Hu Venture Capital Town, Nanhai is activating private capital to advance hydrogen energy technologies and expand industrial development. Several fund management companies, including Yuecai Zhongyin and Yue Min Tou, are launching new energy industry funds at this venture capital town to support continuous financial influx for industry growth.
From October 18 to 20, the eighth China (Foshan) International Hydrogen Energy and Fuel Cell Technology and Product Exhibition, along with the Xianhu International Forum and Hydrogen Listening Theater, showcased cutting-edge advancements in the sector.
The exhibition featured a total area of 21,000 square meters, with 15,000 square meters indoors and 6,000 square meters outdoors, comprising brand exhibition halls, fuel cell halls, equipment halls, and outdoor display areas. Over 360 companies participated, including 25 hydrogen energy firms from Nanhai. Various hydrogen-powered vehicles, including heavy-duty trucks, light-duty trucks, refrigerated trucks, forklifts, and passenger cars, along with hydrogen-powered two-wheeled electric and assisted bicycles, were also presented for visitors and guests to experience firsthand. This exhibition is recognized as the largest and most prestigious hydrogen energy and fuel cell fair in the country, featuring elite companies and showcasing the latest technologies and products from both domestic and international hydrogen energy and fuel cell industries, thereby fully demonstrating the extensive application scenarios and remarkable developmental potential of the hydrogen energy sector in China and beyond.
The Hydrogen Listening Theater combined professionalism, foresight, and interactivity, with three specialized sessions: “Hydrogen Inspiration: Equipment Technology and Materials,” “Hydrogen Chain Road: Storage, Transportation, and Refueling,” and “Hydrogen Energy Advancement: Cost Reduction and Efficiency Improvement with Diverse Applications.” This year, 41 industry experts gathered to analyze the development trends and market potential of the hydrogen energy and fuel cell sectors, with four companies unveiling their latest products. The multidimensional analyses from experts across various fields continued to affirm the professionalism, technological focus, and authority of the Hydrogen Listening Theater, promoting information exchange and sharing within the industry and providing new insights and directions for the development of the hydrogen energy sector.
Following this year’s conference, Nanhai will continue to focus on its goal of becoming “China’s Hydrogen Energy District,” working diligently to create zero-carbon industrial parks and establish an ammonia-hydrogen supply system. The district is determined to build a thriving industrial cluster in hydrogen energy and ammonia-hydrogen fusion equipment manufacturing, targeting a significant scale with over 100 large enterprises and a total output value exceeding 100 billion yuan. (Liu Pengfei, Li ChuanZhi)
