China’s largest marine solar photovoltaic (PV) and hydrogen power plant starts operation

A large-scale photovoltaic (PV) and hydrogen park, located in the tidal flat area of ??eastern China, has officially started operation, according to its owner, Guohua Energy Investment Co., Ltd., belonging to CHN Energy Investment Group (CHN Energy).

The energy park, the largest of its kind in China, is officially known as the Rudong marine solar PV and hydrogen storage project. It has been successfully connected to the grid and started operation on Dec. 31, 2024 in Rudong County, Jiangsu Province, CHN Energy said in a press release on Friday.

This marks the launch of China’s first comprehensive coastal energy utilization and ecological management project, integrating photovoltaic power generation, hydrogen production, hydrogen refueling and energy storage, according to the press release.

With a total installed capacity of 400 megawatts, the Rudong project, which covers 4,300 mu (about 287 hectares), features a newly built 220 kV land booster station, a 60 MW/120 MWh energy storage facility, and a hydrogen production and refueling station with a production capacity of 1,500 standard cubic meters per hour and a hydrogen refueling capacity of 500 kilograms per day.

Once fully operational in 2025, the project is expected to generate an average of 468 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year, equivalent to saving approximately 151,000 tons of standard coal each year.

This will also lead to a substantial reduction in emissions, including approximately 309,400 tonnes of carbon dioxide, 562.6 tonnes of sulphur dioxide and 1,125.3 tonnes of nitrogen dioxide. According to CHN Energy, these reductions not only make a significant contribution to environmental protection, but also mark a key milestone in advancing the transition to a more sustainable energy structure.

The Rudong project takes advantage of the unique resources of the region’s coastal tidal flats, using advanced photovoltaic technology and intelligent control systems to optimise energy conversion and storage efficiency.

By integrating hydrogen production through water electrolysis, the overall energy utilisation efficiency is further improved. This innovative approach not only strengthens the peak shaving capability of the regional power grid, but also significantly improves the stability of electricity supply, according to CHN Energy.