Changxing Island leverages strengths to forge NE Asia hydrogen hub

Dalian’s Changxing Island is advancing as a pivotal hub for hydrogen-based energy in Northeast Asia, marking a strategic move to diversify its new energy sector, upgrade industries, and foster new quality productive forces. This initiative supports national security priorities and regional directives, driving advancements in new energy, new materials, and new technology while transforming traditional industries.

The Changxing Island presents compelling advantages for establishing a hydrogen-based energy center focused on Northeast Asia. These include the strategic application of being a national petrochemical base equipped with deep-water chemical terminals and ample port storage land. The region benefits from abundant wind and photovoltaic resources, complemented by its role in bolstering a national methanol reserve base.

On the production front, the Changxing Island has prioritized the advancement of three key demonstration projects. These are CGN's Phase I facility producing 120,000 tons per year of green methanol, Envision Group's green ammonia plant with a capacity of 300,000 tons per year, and Haipai Group's initiative for green aviation kerosene. Combined, they represent a total investment of approximately 10.6 billion yuan ($1.46 billion).

Regarding warehousing and logistic infrastructure, Changxing Island, in collaboration with COSCO Shipping Investment Dalian Co Ltd, has established a joint venture to develop a 10,000-50,000-ton green hydrogen ammonia methanol terminal and a public tank area for liquid chemicals on Xizhong Island, with an investment totaling about 3.3 billion yuan. The first phase of the terminal aims to be operational by June 2025, followed by the tank area in 2026.

In terms of trade activities, Changxing Island is actively pursuing initiatives to facilitate the storage, transportation, and trading of more than 20 green ammonia and methanol projects at the Dalian Xizhong Island base, which collectively approach 10 million tons in capacity. These projects are currently under construction or in planning stages across Jilin, Heilongjiang, and eastern Inner Mongolia. This effort is expected in the future to generate an annual volume of warehousing, logistics, and trading exceeding 50 billion yuan.

On the refueling front, leveraging its advantageous deep-water ports and favorable policies, Changxing Island aims to establish a green fuel refueling center for ships in Northeast Asia. The island has forged strong partnerships with companies like COSCO Shipping and China Marine Bunker (PetroChina) Co Ltd, and has taken the lead in forming the Northeast Asia Green Ship Fuel Supply Chain Alliance in Liaoning province. These initiatives are pivotal in establishing a national green ship fuel refueling demonstration site and fostering the development of an international green shipping corridor.

Meanwhile, Changxing Island is actively promoting pioneering international technology demonstrations and industrial applications, such as the "liquid sunshine" and artificial photosynthesis led by Professor Li Can’s group from the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), key energy storage materials developed by deputy director Li Xianfeng, and researcher Deng Dehui's breakthroughs in hydrogen production through electrolysis of seawater desalination.

Changxing Island has engaged with multiple companies to negotiate projects such as solid oxide fuel cell hydrogen production equipment, fully automated alkaline (hydrogen production) electrolyzer manufacturing, and all-vanadium liquid flow battery stack production. These efforts accelerate collaboration across the hydrogen-based energy innovation and equipment manufacturing chains. Additionally, it collaborates with reputable third-party institutions in carbon footprint detection, green certification, and other hydrogen-based energy services. This comprehensive approach aims to establish a demonstration hub for the entire hydrogen-based new energy industry chain.

Changxing Island is strategically positioning itself to become Northeast Asia's leading hub for hydrogen-based energy. This initiative focuses on enhancing supportive policies, strengthening scientific and technological innovation platforms, and intensifying efforts in project and talent attraction.

Through proactive planning and foresight, the aim is to formulate robust strategies for industrial clustering and application scenarios, ensuring feasibility and long-term viability. By leveraging industrial projects as catalysts, Changxing Island aims to translate strategic blueprints into tangible outcomes. Through proactive investment promotion across the industrial chain, efforts are underway to attract a diverse array of high-quality new energy projects to Xizhong Island.

Efforts will concentrate on extending the specialized industrial chain downstream, encompassing hydrogen-based energy production, construction, manufacturing, storage, transportation, and trade. This strategic initiative seeks to foster the integrated growth of advanced manufacturing, high-end commerce, and productive service industries, while cultivating innovative formats and models. The goal is to continuously optimize the industrial structure and accelerate the development of a modern industrial ecosystem.

Changxing Island is harnessing its national petrochemical industry base to focus on hydrogen-based energy to achieve dual carbon goals, drive green transformation, and upgrade industrial structure. It aims to establish a pioneer demonstration zone for the entire hydrogen-based energy industry chain and a hub for hydrogen-based energy production, storage, transportation, and trade in Northeast Asia, alongside a national methanol base.

Looking ahead, Changxing Island will continue to focus on major projects and clustering initiatives to expand the industrial chain and enhance value-added capabilities. This strategic direction aims to create ample space for incremental growth, providing robust support for achieving high-quality and sustainable development goals for Dalian’s rejuvenation.