China's NDRC says it is drafting a plan to steer local hydrogen investment
In short
Ren Zhongbao (任中保), deputy director of the National Development and Reform Commission's innovation and high-tech development department, said on 20 October that a plan is being drawn up in response to heated investment in some parts of the hydrogen sector. It would arrange major projects and guide localities to find their own positions in core technology work and renewable-energy hydrogen demonstrations.
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Ren Zhongbao (任中保), deputy director of the innovation and high-tech development department of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), spoke at a press conference on 20 October, according to CLS (财联社) and Jiemian (界面新闻). He said that, in response to heated investment in some parts of the hydrogen sector, a plan is being drawn up. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
According to the same reports, the plan will take into account national strategic needs, technological maturity and supporting conditions, and will arrange major projects accordingly. The NDRC aims to guide localities to find their own positions in key core technology research and in developing demonstration and application scenarios for renewable-energy hydrogen, so that development differs from place to place. 36Kr (36氪) cited Xinhua Finance for the remarks, and Yicai (第一财经) carried the same message in its headline. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Why it matters
The remarks signal that the national planning body is working on a plan to coordinate hydrogen projects across localities. The documents give no details of the plan's content or timing.
Key facts
- Ren Zhongbao, deputy director of the NDRC's innovation and high-tech development department, spoke at a press conference on 20 October. [ 2 , 4 ]
- He said investment in some parts of the hydrogen sector has recently been heated. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- He said a plan is being drawn up in response. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- The plan will weigh national strategic needs, technological maturity and supporting conditions, and arrange major projects accordingly. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- Localities are to be guided to find their own positions in key core technology research and in developing demonstration and application scenarios for renewable-energy hydrogen, so that development differs from place to place. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- At a 20 October press conference, NDRC official Ren Zhongbao said a plan is being drawn up to address heated investment in some parts of the hydrogen sector. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- The NDRC aims to guide localities to find their own positions in key core technology research and renewable-energy hydrogen demonstration and application scenarios, to achieve differentiated development. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Still unclear
- Content and timing of the plan The documents say a plan is being drawn up but give no details, project list or release date.
- Which parts of the hydrogen sector are seeing heated investment The documents refer only to some links in the hydrogen chain and do not name them.