China tests green hydrogen co-firing in coal boiler cutting carbon emissions by 50 percent

China Energy Investment Corp successfully tested 50 percent green hydrogen co-firing and pure hydrogen combustion in a 40 MW coal-fired boiler. The trial used a self-developed hydrogen-coal mixed low-nitrogen burner and achieved a 50 percent reduction in coal consumption and carbon emissions. This is a world first for zero-carbon fuel substitution in coal power. The breakthrough matters because coal still provides grid stability in China. Wind and solar are intermittent, so coal remains essential for baseline power. Green hydrogen co-firing offers a practical path to cut emissions from existing coal plants without retiring them immediately. The technology still faces high short term costs and depends on renewable-rich regions for green hydrogen supply. Industry experts say low-carbon retrofitting of coal plants is now mandatory, not optional. China's new power system action plan explicitly calls for zero-carbon fuel co-firing alongside carbon capture. This trial shows the technical feasibility of blending hydrogen into coal combustion at scale, which could accelerate coal plant decarbonization globally.