China’s largest hydrogen station begins construction in Wuhan

The Wuhan Economic and Technological Development Zone (WHDZ) in central China’s Hubei province began construction on the province’s first stationary hydrogen refueling station on June 11.

Invested by Wuhan Xiongzhong Hydrogen Energy, a company established by the Center Power Group and Wuhan Zhongyida Petroleum, the hydrogen refueling station is designed to be able to supply 1,000 kilograms of hydrogen daily, while maintaining a reserve capacity of 1,000 kg.

The station is expected to be put into operation before November 2018. Upon completion, it will become the nation's largest hydrogen refueling station in terms of reserve and daily hydrogen supply.

Zhang Huanong, chairman of Center Power Group, said that Wuhan Xiongzhong Hydrogen Energy specializes in the investment, construction, operation and management of hydrogen refueling stations, planning to build two to three more hydrogen stations in Wuhan in 2018, and 20 before 2020.

At present, China only has 12 hydrogen refueling stations in operation, including the Beijing Yongfeng Hydrogen Refueling Station, the Shanghai Anting Hydrogen Refueling Station, and the Zhengzhou Yutong Hydrogen Refueling Station in Henan province.

More than 10 hydrogen refueling stations are currently under construction across the country.

The WHDZ is aiming to develop its hydrogen industry, introducing companies that are engaged in research, development and manufacturing within the hydrogen sector.

An example of this is Wuhan Qingxiong Corporation, a company established by the Center Power Group in the WHDZ in December 2017, will invest 11.5 billion yuan ($1.8 billion) in Wuhan for the manufacturing of hydrogen energy vehicles and the construction of facilities providing supporting services.

Representatives from hydrogen energy companies and the Wuhan Economic and Technological Development Zone attend the commencement ceremony for the building of the hydrogen refueling station, on June 11. [Photo/WeChat account of WHDZ]

Representatives lay the first foundations of the hydrogen refueling station at the ceremony in the Wuhan Economic and Technological Development Zone, June 11. [Photo/WeChat account of WHDZ]

An artist's impression of what the hydrogen refueling station in the Wuhan Economic and Technological Development Zone will look like [Photo/WeChat account of WHDZ]