BEIJING — On August 10th, China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and the National Energy Administration (NEA) officially issued the "15th Five-Year Plan for Coal Industry Development" (The Plan). As part of the national strategy to drive the deep integration of coal and renewable energy, the plan outlines critical deployments for hydrogen applications across key mining operations.

Clean Energy Substitution in Mining Operations

The Plan calls for the active adoption of electric drilling rigs and electric shovels in coal production segments. For open-pit mine transport, China will orderly scale up the substitution of diesel heavy-duty trucks with electric and hydrogen-powered mining trucks. In underground mines, the deployment of electric trackless rubber-tyred vehicles is strongly encouraged.

Additionally, old boilers in mining sites will be systematically replaced by electric boilers, gas oxidation heating boilers, and clean, high-efficiency pulverized coal boilers to minimize internal coal consumption. To support this fleet transition, the authorities encourage the strategic rollout of charging/battery swapping stations, and hydrogen refueling stations in qualified mining areas, establishing pilot projects for the upgrading of green transport infrastructure. 

Integration of Clean Energy Industries in Mining Regions

In open-pit mining areas with suitable conditions, the plan supports the development of co-located wind, solar, and electrochemical energy storage projects. Demonstration low-carbon industrial parks will be built around key facilities, including electromechanical maintenance workshops, transportation & logistics center, and coal preparation plant. The plan also promotes replacing fossil inputs with green power and green hydrogen in coal chemical processes, paired with CCUS technology to reduce industrial emissions.

Source:NEA