China's Vast Wind Potential Unveiled as Key to Green Hydrogen Production by 2060
Key Insights
A new study reveals China possesses approximately 5.40 million square kilometers of land and sea area suitable for wind power, offering immense potential for green hydrogen production.
This vast wind resource could enable China to generate hundreds of gigawatts of electrolysis capacity, producing billions of tons of green hydrogen annually.
The findings provide a critical pathway for China to achieve its 2060 carbon neutrality targets by decarbonizing hard-to-abate industrial and transportation sectors.
Realizing this potential requires significant investment in electrolyzer technology, hydrogen infrastructure, and supportive policies to accelerate deployment and foster new industrial growth.
A groundbreaking study published in ScienceDirect.com reveals China possesses an estimated 5.40 million square kilometers of combined land and sea area suitable for wind power generation, offering substantial potential for green hydrogen production by 2060. This extensive resource base could position China as a global leader in renewable hydrogen, critical for achieving its ambitious carbon neutrality targets set for mid-century. The findings underscore the strategic importance of wind-derived hydrogen in decarbonizing heavy industry, transportation, and energy storage sectors within the world's largest energy consumer.
The research, conducted by a team of energy system analysts, meticulously mapped available onshore and offshore wind resources, excluding ecologically sensitive zones, densely populated areas, and existing infrastructure. Their analysis indicates that leveraging this vast wind potential could yield hundreds of gigawatts of electrolysis capacity, capable of producing billions of tons of green hydrogen annually. This scale of production would significantly reduce the carbon footprint of sectors currently reliant on fossil fuels, such as steel, chemicals, and long-haul shipping, which are challenging to electrify directly.
“Our findings demonstrate that China's wind resources are not just abundant for electricity generation, but also strategically located to support large-scale green hydrogen production through electrolysis,” stated Dr. Li Wei, lead author of the study. “This provides a clear technical pathway for China to meet its climate commitments while bolstering energy security and fostering new industrial growth.” The study further detailed the optimal geographical distribution for wind-to-hydrogen projects, emphasizing coastal regions and northern provinces for their high wind speeds and proximity to industrial demand centers.
Currently, China is the world's largest producer and consumer of hydrogen, predominantly gray hydrogen derived from fossil fuels. The transition to green hydrogen, produced using renewable electricity, is a cornerstone of the nation's energy transition roadmap. The identified wind potential far exceeds the energy requirements for projected hydrogen demand, suggesting a significant export opportunity or a pathway to further deep decarbonization across the economy. This aligns with the National Energy Administration's push for integrated renewable energy bases that combine large-scale wind and solar farms with co-located hydrogen production facilities.
The scale of this potential necessitates substantial investment in advanced electrolyzer technologies, robust hydrogen pipeline infrastructure, and smart grid integration to manage the intermittency of wind power. Policy support, including favorable tariffs and subsidies for green hydrogen projects, will be crucial in de-risking early investments and accelerating deployment. The study’s comprehensive assessment provides a vital data-driven foundation for strategic planning, offering a blueprint for China to leverage its unparalleled renewable energy endowment to drive a global shift towards a hydrogen-based economy.