An agreement to build a hydrogen energy production and supply plant is signed in Rudong county, Nantong, on Sept 6. [Photo/WeChat account: rudongfb]

The government of Rudong county – administered by Nantong city in East China's Jiangsu province – signed off on an agreement with a trio of companies on Sept 6 to build a major hydrogen energy production plant and associated facilities, involving total investment of 3 billion yuan ($464 million).

Rudong officials signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Guohua Energy Investment Co Ltd and the National Institute of Clean-and-Low-Carbon Energy – both are affiliated to China Energy Investment Corporation – and Jiangsu Zhongtian Technology Co Ltd.

The project's investment includes 2 billion yuan for hydrogen production plant facilities, 500 million yuan for hydrogenation stations and 500 million yuan for the production lines.

Under the agreement, during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25) the signatories will construct an eco-friendly hydrogen supply facility and a hydrogen equipment research and development, manufacturing and operations demonstration center in Rudong.

For its part, Rudong county has developed a new energy industry ecosystem centering on wind power electricity production, wind power equipment manufacturing and the supply, storage and transportation of LNG.

The annual taxable sales of the new energy industry sector is currently nearly 60 billion yuan, according to Chen Huiyu, Party secretary of Rudong.

He said the planned hydrogen plant would undoubtedly boost the development and expansion of strategic emerging industries in the region.