Green Hydrogen Source Ready: 12,000-Tonne/Year Kangbao Plant Nears Commissioning to Supply Major Hydrogen Pipeline to Caofeidian

ZHANGJIAKOU, China — A renewable energy-based hydrogen production and liquefaction facility in Kangbao County, Zhangjiakou, Hebei Province, is entering the final stage ahead of commissioning, with its first production line having completed full-process hydrogen production testing and all key operating parameters meeting design requirements.

Developed by Hebei Hongmeng New Energy, the first phase of the project represents a total investment of RMB 1 billion and is designed to produce 12,000 tonnes of green hydrogen annually. The facility will serve as a key hydrogen supply source for the Kangbao-Caofeidian long-distance hydrogen pipeline once it enters commercial operation.

The project is expected to provide low-carbon hydrogen for heavy manufacturing and chemical industries in the Caofeidian Port Industrial Zone, helping connect upstream renewable energy resources with downstream industrial decarbonization.

Kangbao County has developed a green energy cluster integrating wind power, solar power, energy storage, hydrogen and biomass energy. Renewable energy capacity connected to the grid across 41 enterprises in the county has reached 7.78 GW.

Supporting standalone energy storage facilities with a combined capacity of 700 MW are scheduled for completion by the end of 2026. These include a 300 MW/1,200 MWh energy storage station and 400 MW of grid-forming energy storage operated by the local transportation investment group. Green electricity is also supplied to Beijing and Xiong’an New Area through the Kangbanoor flexible DC grid, establishing a complementary energy system combining green electricity and green hydrogen.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the Kangbao-Caofeidian hydrogen pipeline was held on October 28 in Zhangbei County, Zhangjiakou.

The pipeline is being developed by Zhangjiakou Haitai Hydrogen Technology, a wholly owned subsidiary of Tangshan Haitai Hydrogen  Technology. The project has a total investment of approximately RMB 13.45 billion.

The pipeline will start at the Kangbao hydrogen production and liquefaction facility and extend approximately 1,037.82 kilometers through 18 counties and districts across Zhangjiakou, Chengde and Tangshan before reaching Caofeidian District in Tangshan.

The pipeline is designed to operate at a pressure of 7.2 MPa and has a diameter of 813 millimeters. Upon completion, it is expected to transport up to 1.55 million tonnes of hydrogen annually.

According to the project description, the pipeline is designed to set multiple industry records, including the largest diameter, highest operating pressure, largest annual hydrogen transmission capacity, longest transmission distance and highest steel grade among dedicated green hydrogen pipelines worldwide.