Based on its abundant wind and solar resources, solid industrial foundation, and wide-ranging application scenarios, Baotou has fostered the full-chain development of hydrogen energy since the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period, covering production, storage, transportation, and utilization.

The 200-MW wind-solar hydrogen production demonstration project in Darhan Muminggan Joint Banner has been operating steadily for more than two years. Supported by a hybrid wind-solar configuration, the project can run around the clock barring extreme weather, overcoming the limitation of solar hydrogen projects that can only work during daylight hours.

The long-distance hydrogen transmission pipeline project from Bayan Obo mining district to Baotou, one of the first batch of hydrogen pilot projects approved by the National Energy Administration, is soon to be put into operation.

Stretching about 195 kilometers, the pipeline is designed for an operating pressure of 6.3 MPa, with an approved annual hydrogen transmission capacity of 100,000 metric tons and a long-term target of 240,000 tons. Once operational, it will further bolster the capacity to deliver a continuous, stable, and large-scale supply of green hydrogen.

More than 160 hydrogen heavy-duty trucks and over 2,000 rare-earth solid-state hydrogen storage two-wheelers have been put into service. Among them, the 49-ton, 300-kW hydrogen fuel cell tractor, a core outcome of the project led by Beiben Trucks Group Co, has entered mass production and market sales.

This rapid industrial growth is underpinned by a strong business environment. A representative from the Baotou municipal development and reform commission said that green hydrogen production projects in Baotou will be eligible for a 40 percent grid electricity quota from 2025 to 2027 and a 20 percent quota after 2027. The revenue from power generation offsets hydrogen production costs, boosting enterprises' confidence in investing and expanding their footprint.

Baotou will focus on tapping the green hydrogen application market in transportation, chemical engineering, and metallurgy, support enterprises to scale up hydrogen consumption, and further cut hydrogen production expenses with advances in technologies nationwide.