The commercialization of the hydrogen energy industry is expected to accelerate comprehensively! Our country's hydrogen energy-related patents have exceeded 8,000.

How does the first flight of AI · Hydrogen Fuel Aircraft Engine promote the industrialization of green aviation?

The hydrogen energy industry is迎来 a critical turning point in scale and commercialization. According to Xinhua News Agency, on April 4th, a 7.5-ton unmanned transport aircraft equipped with the megawatt-level hydrogen fuel turboprop engine AEP100 successfully completed its first flight at Lushui Airport in Zhuzhou, Hunan. This is the world’s first test flight of a megawatt-level hydrogen fuel aircraft turboprop engine, independently developed by China Aero Engine Corporation’s Hunan Power Machinery Research Institute. The successful first flight marks a technological and engineering leap in independently developing megawatt-level hydrogen fuel aircraft engines, indicating that China has established a complete technical chain from core components to full aircraft integration in the hydrogen fuel aircraft engine field. It also verifies the engineering reliability of hydrogen fuel power systems matched with flight platforms, laying a crucial foundation for subsequent hydrogen energy aviation industrialization applications.

Since the 14th Five-Year Plan, China’s annual hydrogen energy consumption has exceeded 39 million tons, maintaining the world’s leading position. Notably, hydrogen production capacity from renewable energy has significantly increased, and by 2025, China’s green hydrogen capacity will account for more than half of the global green hydrogen capacity. Facing energy security challenges and deep decarbonization efforts, hydrogen energy is pioneering breakthroughs in transportation, chemical industries, and more, accelerating penetration along pathways such as green shipping, hydrogen heavy-duty trucks, metallurgy, and energy storage. Guojin Securities pointed out that hydrogen energy is on the eve of industry explosion; technological breakthroughs and cost reductions are driving the acceleration of the entire supply chain, making it a core force to solve energy dilemmas and support dual carbon goals.

Qichacha data shows that as of April 7, 2026, there are 3,920 hydrogen energy-related companies in China. Regionally, the highest concentration is in East China, accounting for 34.1%, followed by North China at 20.6%. In terms of patents, China currently holds 8,328 hydrogen energy-related patents. In 2023, the number of related patent applications increased by 18.8% year-on-year to 1,239, making it the year with the fastest growth in hydrogen energy patent applications in the past five years. The total number of hydrogen energy-related patent applications in 2025 reached 1,227.

1. From the perspective of enterprise stock: China currently has 3,920 hydrogen energy-related companies

Qichacha data shows that over the past decade, the stock of hydrogen energy-related companies in China has steadily increased each year. By the end of 2025, there were 3,880 active hydrogen energy-related companies. As of April 7, 2026, China has 3,920 existing hydrogen energy-related companies.

2. From regional distribution: East China has the most, accounting for 34.1%

Qichacha data shows that among the 3,920 existing hydrogen energy-related companies in China, the region with the most companies is East China, accounting for 34.1%. North China is second at 20.6%, while Southwest and Northeast regions are relatively fewer, accounting for 7.7% and 4.3%, respectively.

3. From patents: 1,227 applications in 2025

Qichacha data shows that China currently holds 8,328 hydrogen energy-related patents. Since 2021, China has applied for a total of 5,793 hydrogen energy-related patents. In 2023, the number of patent applications increased by 18.8% year-on-year to 1,239, marking the fastest growth in hydrogen energy patent applications over the past five years. The total patent applications in 2025 reached 1,227.