China has begun construction on the world’s largest pure-hydrogen power generation project in Ordos, Inner Mongolia, featuring a 30MW hydrogen-fired turbine fully integrated into a renewable energy and storage system. Developed by Mingyang Hydrogen, a subsidiary of Mingyang Smart Energy, and Shenzhen Energy, the project forms part of the Ejingke wind–solar–hydrogen integrated green ammonia complex. The facility combines 500MW of wind capacity, a 5MW photovoltaic array, 240MW of electrolysers producing 48,000 Nm³ of hydrogen per hour, twelve spherical storage tanks, and downstream capacity to produce 150,000 tonnes of green ammonia annually.
Unlike previous hydrogen-capable turbines, this unit will run exclusively on hydrogen, marking a first at this scale for the global power sector. The design enables a closed-loop “electricity–hydrogen–electricity” cycle, converting surplus renewable energy into hydrogen for storage and later reconversion to electricity, addressing grid intermittency and seasonal storage needs. While critics highlight efficiency losses and high costs, the project will provide valuable operational data on ignition, combustion stability, and performance under variable loads.
Serving as a flagship for Inner Mongolia’s hydrogen ambitions, the facility offers a blueprint for integrating hydrogen into renewable-heavy grids and positions China to advance its “dual carbon” goals of peaking emissions and achieving carbon neutrality. It also reinforces the country’s push to lead in global clean energy technology by building a complete green hydrogen ecosystem from production to storage and utilization.