China’s integrated solar power, hydrogen and energy storage project connects to grid

“China’s largest” integrated offshore photovoltaic (PV) demonstration project, combining solar power, hydrogen production and refueling, and energy storage, has been connected to the grid for power generation.

Hengtong Group announced today, on January 7, 2025, that this development marks the launch of “China’s first” PV project aimed at ecological remediation of tidal flats. The project integrates PV technology with intelligent control systems to enhance energy conversion and storage.

The facility is projected to generate approximately 460 million kWh annually by incorporating hydrogen production and utilization. This output is expected to offset around 151,000 tons of standard coal, cutting CO2 emissions by over 309,000 tons, SO2 by more than 5,600 tons, and NO2 by around 11,250 tons per year, the company noted.

“Over recent years, Hengtong has proactively developed a clean energy industrial cluster covering wind and solar power, energy storage, charging, and intelligent green electricity-based hydrogen energy, actively contributing to the green transition,” said Hengtong Group in a social media post.

In August 2024, the booster station for what is said to be China’s first large-scale, pile-fixed deep-water offshore PV, CGN Yantai Zhaoyuan 400 MW floating solar project was energized for the first time, marking the project’s operational readiness.

According to Rystad Energy research, a shortage of suitable onshore solar sites has driven demand for offshore alternatives. Floating solar is expected to play a key role in expanding solar capacity in Southeast Asia.