China's First Integrated Offshore Hydrogen Project: Green Energy Innovation at Sea
Key Ideas
- China has initiated testing on its groundbreaking offshore project in Yantan, Shandong Province, producing hydrogen, ammonia, and methanol from renewable sources.
- The project involves a massive semi-submersible platform equipped with solar power systems and electrolysis units for hydrogen production, aiming to solve storage and transport challenges.
- By converting hydrogen into ammonia and methanol, the project facilitates easier storage and transportation, benefiting marine fuel applications and various industries while reducing emissions.
- Construction of the facility, which began in 2024, recently entered the trial operation phase, marking a significant milestone in China's efforts towards green energy innovation at sea.
China has embarked on testing its first integrated offshore project in Yantan, Shandong Province, where it is creating hydrogen, ammonia, and methanol using renewable energy sources. The project, developed jointly by CHN Energy Hydrogen Energy Technology Co, Ltd, CIMC Raffles, and Guoneng Hydrogen Innovation Technology (Beijing) Co, Ltd, recently started its trial operation phase after the completion of construction in March 2025. This initiative represents China's maiden full-scale demonstration project encompassing the entire hydrogen production process at sea. The central element is a vast semi-submersible platform towering over 50 meters and weighing more than 20,000 tons. Equipped with solar power systems and electrochemical energy storage devices, the platform is self-sufficient in energy. It houses three hydrogen production units, utilizing both seawater and freshwater electrolysis. Additionally, the platform includes a desalination module producing 5 tons of freshwater daily to support hydrogen production.
The primary objective of the project is to address hydrogen storage and transport challenges. By converting offshore-generated hydrogen into ammonia and methanol, the project enables easier storage and movement. These products can serve as clean marine fuels or crucial raw materials for various industries, contributing to emission reduction in shipping and industrial sectors. The facility commenced construction in September 2024 and received design compliance approval from the China Classification Society (CCS) in January 2025. By utilizing offshore renewable energy to produce green hydrogen and subsequently converting it into ammonia and methanol, the project promotes energy independence from the power grid while fostering emission reduction and sustainable practices in the maritime and industrial domains.