#China #Nanjing #Hydrogen #Yangtze River #Sinopec

Sinopec's Pioneering Hydrogen Corridor

China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation, commonly known as Sinopec, has made a remarkable advancement in hydrogen mobility with the official launch of its hydrogen corridor along the Yangtze River. This initiative was announced during a promotional conference held on September 25, 2025, in Nanjing. Sinopec's efforts are a part of its strategy to enhance the logistics of hydrogen over long distances and facilitate interregional transportation.

With a network comprising 11 hydrogen supply centers and 146 hydrogen fueling stations across various provinces, Sinopec is establishing a robust foundation for hydrogen-based logistics in China. The corridor enables hydrogen-powered vehicles to successfully travel 1,500 kilometers from Shanghai to Yichang, traversing five provinces including Jiangsu, Anhui, Jiangxi, and Hubei, showcasing the practical applications of hydrogen as a clean energy source.

This groundbreaking trip is not an isolated event but rather a continuation of Sinopec's previous long-distance hydrogen logistics testing along its Beijing-Shanghai and Western Corridor networks. The hydrogen corridor not only integrates existing urban transit corridors but also facilitates connections that allow hydrogen fuel cell vehicles to travel confidently along major highways. The company's overarching plan includes linking urban corridors in Eastern and Western China to enhance the flow of hydrogen mobility and ensure the viability of hydrogen as a green fuel alternative.

Sinopec is unequivocally positioning itself as a leader in the hydrogen sector, boasting an annual hydrogen production capacity of an impressive 4.45 million tons. The company is operating China's first national industrial-scale seawater-to-hydrogen conversion project at its Qingdao refinery. Furthermore, its research includes a pilot project for solid oxide electrolysis (SOEC) technology that aims to produce hydrogen efficiently. One of the flagship projects is the integrated wind-solar-to-hydrogen facility located in Ordos, Inner Mongolia, which is designed to generate hydrogen to support cleaner chemical operations in the coal sector.

As part of its commitment to renewables, Sinopec is undertaking a large-scale initiative that includes an integrated wind-solar hydrogen project in Ulanqab, providing pure hydrogen transportation pipelines over long distances across provinces. These advancements illustrate Sinopec's dedication to developing infrastructure that supports hydrogen mobility.

Boasting 146 operational hydrogen stations, Sinopec claims the title of the world's largest hydrogen station operator, ensuring broad access to clean fuel solutions for hydrogen vehicle users. Their plans include further expansion as part of their “Hydrogen Highway” initiative, in collaboration with the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC), aiming to develop refueling networks along major highways.

The ambition is not simply about expanding capacity but also about creating sustainable business models that can support the continuous growth of the hydrogen industry. By facilitating a larger-scale rollout of hydrogen mobility, Sinopec is driving the transition toward a more sustainable and eco-friendly transportation future. This corridor along the Yangtze River signifies a crucial phase in not only Sinopec's strategy but also in China's journey toward achieving greener mobility solutions that align with global energy transitions.