The state-owned power producer operates a coal-to-chemicals complex in Duolun, where the green hydrogen could replace coal-derived feedstocks and syngas-based hydrogen in its processes.
H2 View understands that the green hydrogen plant is expected to produce over six million tonnes of green hydrogen per year in the future. However, it has not been revealed how much it is currently producing.
Duolun already features a 150MW wind and solar plant, which also sends surplus electricity to the grid.
Since it started commercial operations in 2012, the Duolun complex has mainly produced polypropylene, propylene, and methanol, with the latter accounting for most of the site’s total annual capacity.
By pairing its new green hydrogen output with captured CO2 from existing processes, Datang could shift part of its methanol stream toward low-carbon green methanol production.
It’s a direction other Chinese energy groups are moving in. Huadin Group reportedly began construction of a 295MW hydrogen-based methanol production facility in September, located in Tieling.
With global infrastructure for transport and storage already in place, green and blue methanol is emerging as a practical low-carbon fuel for shipping and industry.
Clean hydrogen in chemicals: no-regrets, but no guarantees
The chemicals sector is widely seen as a no-regrets use case for clean hydrogen, already accounting for around 13% of global hydrogen consumption.
By 2050, clean hydrogen could meet up to 40% of the industry’s energy needs, according to the European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic).
Meanwhile, analysis by RMI suggests replacing natural gas with clean hydrogen or electrification for industrial heat could cut sector emissions by up to 28%.
“[Hydrogen] is already being widely used in the chemicals industry and therefore has more opportunity to expand its role in emissions reduction,” RMI explained.
“For chemicals where hydrogen is a key reagent, swapping off-site grey hydrogen for cleaner hydrogen can reduce emissions without any on-site modifications or capital expenditure.”
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