China launches solar power plant with battery storage and hydrogen production

China has taken another step towards building a more balanced energy system, an area where it still faces significant challenges. The world's largest integrated solar power and green hydrogen production complex has begun operations in Jiangsu Province. The facility also includes battery storage systems designed to smooth fluctuations in solar power generation. It is regarded as one of the most advanced green energy projects in the world, setting a benchmark for others to follow, according to pv magazine.

The Guohua Rudong project, developed by CHN Energy in Rudong County, Jiangsu Province, is located in a tidal zone near Yangkou Port. The energy component of the project consists of a 400 MW coastal photovoltaic power station, a 220 kV onshore substation, and a battery energy storage system with a capacity of 60 MW/120 MWh. According to CHN Energy, the solar plant is expected to generate approximately 468 GWh of electricity annually—enough to meet the yearly power needs of around 200,000 households. The battery system is designed not only to mitigate fluctuations in solar generation but also to ensure a stable power supply for the hydrogen electrolyser.

The hydrogen production section of the complex is designed to produce 482 tonnes of high-purity green hydrogen per year. The facility has a nominal production capacity of 1,500 cubic metres of hydrogen per hour, while the associated refuelling infrastructure is capable of supplying up to 500 kilograms of hydrogen per day to end users. A key technical feature of the project is the direct connection between the photovoltaic plant and the electrolysers via a dedicated subsea cable. This allows excess solar power to be used directly for water electrolysis without first passing through the main electricity grid. During periods of peak solar generation, approximately one-fortieth of the plant's hourly output is allocated to hydrogen production.

The solar power station was connected to the grid on 29 April 2025, while CHN Energy announced the completion of commissioning work across the entire facility on 10 June 2026. However, the hydrogen production unit remains in the final stages of testing and is expected to begin operations in August 2026.

In addition to its energy functions, the project incorporates environmental restoration measures. The site covers approximately 2.9 square kilometres of tidal land, while a related programme aimed at controlling the invasive perennial grass Spartina alterniflora and restoring coastal wetlands extends across roughly 4.3 square kilometres.