Chinese, Thai firms to work on Thailand's 1st commercial green hydrogen project

BANGKOK, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- Thailand is poised to launch its first commercial green hydrogen project in partnership with a Chinese firm to catalyze the country's transition to green and low-carbon practices.

Chinese new energy company Beijing Mingyang Hydrogen Technology Co., Ltd. on Friday signed an agreement with Thailand's first liquefied natural gas distributor, IBCLNG Co., Ltd. to jointly develop a 25-MW electrolysis project.

Under the deal, the IBCLNG will source cutting-edge electrolyzer from Mingyang Hydrogen. The Chinese company will provide technical expertise and personnel support to construct an integrated "generation, storage, and utilization" green hydrogen infrastructure in Thailand.

The resulting green hydrogen will be channelled downstream to steel enterprises, fostering the "green" production of environmentally friendly steel, reducing carbon footprints and enhancing production sustainability.

Charernsook Siriyong, deputy managing director of the IBCLNG, said hydrogen is significant as a clean and versatile secondary energy source and pivotal in the global energy transition.

He told Xinhua in an interview that Thailand predominantly relies on gray hydrogen which was derived from fossil fuel combustion or industrial by-products, releasing substantial carbon dioxide during production.

He said green hydrogen, produced through water electrolysis using renewable energy sources like wind, hydropower and solar, offers a carbon-neutral alternative.

Charernsook said that the European Union is gradually implementing a carbon border adjustment mechanism, imposing "carbon tariffs" on products such as cement, aluminum, fertilizers, and steel imported from countries and regions with relatively lenient carbon emission restrictions.

"Failing to do so, it could increase future export costs and result in losing the first-mover advantage in the market," he said.

Shen Zhongmin, vice chairman of Mingyang Hydrogen, said that hydrogen is a major source for green energy, noting that the collaboration is not only about selling products but also providing a high-quality international cooperation solution for climate change.

Thailand is dedicated to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and net-zero emissions by 2065. The government has laid out a roadmap to achieve the goals, urging relevant stakeholders to take actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Some major energy companies in Thailand have already started investing in hydrogen technology and supplying hydrogen for electricity generation to businesses in industrial parks or converting hydrogen into synthetic fuels for easier transportation and use.