The IEA published its yearly hydrogen analysis reporting that of the 520 GW announced electrolysis projects, 20 GW reached final investment decision, with China leading the way. • The International Energy Agency (IEA) said that the global hydrogen demand reached 97 Mt in 2023, an increase of 2.5% compared to 2022. “Demand remains concentrated in refining and the chemical sector and is principally covered by hydrogen produced from unabated fossil fuels. As in previous years, low-emissions hydrogen played only a marginal role, with production of less than 1 Mt in 2023,” said the agency in its latest report. Blue and green hydrogen production could reach 49 Mtpa by 2030 based on announced projects, a year-on-year 30% increase. “This strong growth has been mostly driven by electrolysis projects, with announced electrolysis capacity amounting to almost 520 GW.” The number of projects that have reached a final investment decision (FID) doubled compared with last year to reach 3.4 Mtpa, representing a fivefold increase. “This is split roughly evenly between electrolysis (1.9 Mtpa) and fossil fuels with carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) (1.5 Mtpa).” The announced electrolyzer capacity, which reached FID, stands at 20 GW globally, of which 6.5 GW reached FID over the last 12 months alone. China accounts for more than 40% of global FIDs. • Mitsubishi Power will supply a 30% hydrogen co-firing gas turbine to a power plant in Sarawak, Malaysia. This cutting-edge technology can burn 30% hydrogen and 70% natural gas. Last year, the Malaysian government outlined plans for three low-carbon hydrogen hubs in Sarawak State by 2027, featuring a green hydrogen production plant in Kuching by 2025 and two Bintulu plants by 2027 for export. • The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE has investigated the production and supply costs of hydrogen in and from Colombia, focusing on three regions: Cartagena/Barranquilla, Cali and La Guajira. Cartagena and Barranquilla “show a good infrastructure and offer potential synergies with the existing industries, making it suitable for the production of green methanol,” while the La Guajira region evidences excellent potential for both wind and solar energy plants. “The third region of Valle del Cauca near Cali has good photovoltaic potential and locally available CO2 sources so that the production of green methanol and other hydrocarbons such as dimethyl ether or sustainable aviation fuels would be feasible here,” said the German institutions in a report written on behalf of the Federation of German Industries (BDI) and the World Energy Council (WEC). • Yara International opened its new ammonia import terminal in Brunsbüttel, Germany, with a capacity of up to three million tonnes of low-emission ammonia. “This would correspond to 530,000 tonnes of hydrogen or around 5% of the total European hydrogen target for 2030,” said the Norwegian company, explaining that hydrogen could be used by the agricultural, chemical, and steel sectors.

Greenzo Energy India Ltd., the country's only indigenous electrolyser manufacturer, plans to ramp up its alkaline electrolyser manufacturing capacity to 1 gigawatt from 250 megawatts at present by fiscal 2026, according to founder and Chief Executive Sandeep Agarwal. The capacity will be further raised to 2 gigawatts by the financial year 2028, he said. Greenzo sees strong potential in the green hydrogen production space, as companies across sectors have announced plans to reduce carbon footprints in alignment with India's net zero targets. There is potential for 20 GW of hydrogen production in the country valued at $20 billion; we expect to cash in on the drive with our cost-competitive indigenous electrolysers. There are several companies in the country that have announced plans to produce green hydrogen and green ammonia but have faced execution-related challenges due to a shortage of electrolysers, Agarwal said. “Our electrolysers are customised to the Indian environment and can operate between -20 degrees and 60 degrees celsius, unlike electrolysers imported from China, South Korea, or Germany. Cost-wise also, these electrolysers are 20–40% cheaper compared to imported electrolysers (excluding China) since our alkaline electrolysers are based on mature technology that can last for 25 years and don’t use any noble metals. The main components are steel and nickel, which are sourced domestically,” Agarwal said. The company has tied up with RBM Infracon Ltd. for setting up 15 MW of green hydrogen facilities across Jamnagar, Kutch, and Bhuj at an investment of Rs 200 crore. As part of the agreement, Greenzo will ensure the design, development, engineering, procurement, and commissioning of the plants, while RBM Infracon will be the developer and look after the production and supply of green hydrogen to the off-takers.

• Known for breaking innovation barriers in technology, energy, science and energy, China has taken another groundbreaking initiative. This time it is showcasing a new clean, efficient energy called methanol. This resource has been long overshadowed by hydrogen and now it is taking its rightful position gathering steam in China, where 100 million tons of this cutting-edge fuel are intended to be produced. The unexpected rival to hydrogen’s throne: Methanol • If you have ever read the story of Saul and David and how David took over and became a more valuable king. That is how methanol has taken over hydrogen. For many years hydrogen has been declared the future of fuel, however, it looks like automakers are weighing their options. Methanol, sometimes known as “wood alcohol,” is a versatile substance that shares characteristics with ethanol. • It can be made from a range of feedstocks, including biomass, captured carbon, and fossil fuels. It can be used “neat” or, more frequently, blended with petrol to provide a relatively clean-burning vehicle fuel. A range of feedstocks can be used to create methanol, a fuel with a reasonably clean burning characteristic (IEF, 2023). It is a desirable alternative for both the Chinese government and industry because of its many benefits. • Methanol is not a new resource. In fact, China has always seldom utilised it as fuel and instead employed it to create compounds like formaldehyde. The Asian country has taken the initiative to elevate its production system to manufacture fuel using methanol. Methanol is far simpler to handle than hydrogen, which frequently needs pricey infrastructure for storage and transportation. • China produces the majority of its rapidly expanding methanol domestically, mostly from coal. It would be challenging to justify the use of methanol fuel as sustainable in these conditions. However, there are indications that things could be improving and the country is betting on it. Methanol has the ability to be made from a variety of feedstocks, including carbon dioxide, meaning it might eventually turn into a fuel that is genuinely carbon neutral. The future of Methanol and why it could potentially be a game-changer • According to IEF (2023), methanol has the potential to be an essential fuel for sustainable transportation that works well with electric cars. Expanding its usage in shipping as a substitute for extremely polluting fuels is of particular interest, as it is simple to handle and already satisfies engine compatibility and operational safety criteria. However, production must move away from its current reliance on fossil-based feedstocks. • This dependency on fossil fuels accounts for 95% of current methanol production if it is to live up to its promise as a more sustainable fuel. Even though there are several potential substitute feedstocks, there may be issues if methanol demand rises. Competition for finite sustainable resources, like biomass, which is now necessary for its production, is one of them. • Energy security considerations also drive China’s embrace of methanol. China can lessen its dependency on imported petrol and oil by generating local methanol from a range of feedstocks, guaranteeing a steady and secure energy supply. This is in line with the country’s overarching plan to address environmental issues and increase energy independence. • To produce 100 million tons of this futuristic fuel China is driving the wheel of mobility innovation. This is a bold move for China because methanol will not replace hydrogen totally, but it offers a complementary solution for the automotive industry and this could change the whole narrative about global transportation. To a certain extent it is undeniable that the narrative is changing, but, more work needs to be done to ensure that these decisions do not harm people.