Shenzhen is currently home to over 150 enterprises in the hydrogen energy sector, spanning the entire industrial chain ranging from hydrogen production, storage and transportation, and refueling to system integration, according to a report in Shenzhen Economic Daily.

As one of the inaugural low-carbon pilot cities, Shenzhen has listed the hydrogen energy industry as one of its strategic emerging industries with huge growth potential and is exploring the industry’s low-carbon development models.

In June 2021, the Shenzhen Municipal Development and Reform Commission issued a development plan (2021-2025) for the hydrogen energy sector. The plan envisions Shenzhen forming a robust hydrogen energy industry ecosystem by 2025, with the industry’s scale reaching 50 billion yuan (US$6.9 billion) and soaring to 200 billion yuan by 2035.

In June 2022, Shenzhen released an action plan (2022-2025) for the development of a new energy industrial cluster, which includes support for the establishment of a hydrogen energy academy.

Shenzhen’s ambitions were reiterated in an action plan for the innovative development of the city’s hydrogen energy sector, which was released for public input in July 2022. The plan outlines Shenzhen’s goals to achieve the commercialization and widespread adoption of hydrogen energy, aiming to build at least 10 hydrogen refueling stations by 2025.

This June, the country’s largest commercially operated hydrogen commuter vehicle fleet was delivered in Shenzhen, with a total of 200 vehicles to be put into operation.

In addition to policy support, the city has also spearheaded initiatives such as hydrogen ports and hydrogen-powered boats and ships, and built a batch of demonstration projects aimed at showcasing the potential of hydrogen energy.

The primary clusters of hydrogen energy-related companies in Shenzhen are concentrated in Nanshan, Bao’an, Longhua and Longgang districts. Shenzhen is also home to eight listed companies in the hydrogen energy sector, including Shenzhen Gas Group Co. Ltd. and Shenzhen Energy Group Co. Ltd.