Beijing's First Integrated Hydrogen Production and Refuelling Station Advances in Pinggu

Beijing's first integrated hydrogen production and refuelling station has moved a step closer to construction after the Mafang project in Pinggu District secured planning approval following a multi-plan coordination review.

The project, with a total investment of approximately RMB 74.62 million (about US$10.4 million), will repurpose the former Mafang compressed natural gas (CNG) mother station. Once completed, it is expected to help address the shortage of hydrogen supply in eastern Beijing and support the city's efforts to develop a modern industrial system and achieve its carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals.

Strengthening Regional Energy Security

As China advances its low-carbon transition, expanding the use of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and improving energy supply infrastructure have become important steps towards developing the hydrogen industry and supporting its wider commercialization.

In October 2023, relevant Beijing municipal authorities began assessing potential sites for hydrogen supply facilities, focusing on areas around the Sixth Ring Road, airports, logistics bases, wholesale markets and freight hubs.

Mafang Town, an important logistics hub in the capital, plays a key role in ensuring the supply of daily necessities and maintaining stable industrial and supply chains. Its logistics-related hydrogen demand, combined with the opportunity to reuse the former CNG mother station site, made the area a priority for the city's hydrogen infrastructure planning.

Once operational, the new facility is expected to ease the shortage of high-purity hydrogen in eastern Beijing and provide a reliable, low-carbon hydrogen supply for public transport, heavy-duty logistics vehicles and industrial users.

Repurposing Existing Land to Expand Clean Energy Capacity

The project site previously housed the Mafang CNG mother station, which began operating in 2010. Changes in the energy mix and market demand, together with ageing equipment and incomplete land-use and planning procedures, left the site largely unused for more than a decade.

Under the guidance of Beijing's urban renewal policies and measures for regularizing public-interest projects involving unauthorized land use and construction, the project completed structural and fire-safety assessments before moving forward with redevelopment. The process involved municipal-level guidance, district-level approval, risk mitigation and the incorporation of the project into standardized management procedures.

Rather than demolishing and rebuilding the entire facility, the project combines the removal of existing CNG facilities with the redevelopment and upgrading of the site.

Once operational, the station is expected to produce up to 998.4 tonnes of hydrogen annually. The hydrogen dispensing price is projected to fall from RMB 30/kg to RMB 25/kg, while annual carbon emissions are expected to decrease by 8,809 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent.

By using just 0.498 hectares of existing developed land, the project will significantly increase clean energy production capacity without requiring additional land. This approach is designed to overcome constraints on new construction land while addressing the long-standing underutilization of existing public utility facilities.

The project could provide a replicable model for the more intensive and efficient use of existing land for public infrastructure.

Coordinated Approvals Accelerate Project Delivery

Projects involving legacy land-use issues often require coordination among multiple government departments and lengthy approval procedures. These challenges can delay construction and increase the administrative burden on developers.

To address these issues, the Pinggu Branch of Beijing Municipal Commission of Planning and Natural Resources introduced a dedicated project-management service at an early stage, bringing together the project developer, local government and relevant regulatory authorities.

The process adopted a streamlined approach combining online processing, a unified application form and parallel approvals. It covered expert reviews, safety rectification, utility connections, road occupation and excavation permits, planning assessments, design reviews and planning permission.

Through this coordinated approach, the project timeline was shortened by nearly 30% compared with the original schedule, helping keep construction on track for commissioning in the second quarter of 2027.

The Pinggu Branch plans to continue advancing urban renewal by bringing underutilized land back into productive use, addressing gaps in urban infrastructure and attracting industrial and service-sector resources. These efforts are expected to support Beijing's low-carbon transition, strengthen its modern industrial system and promote high-quality regional development.