Laos Launches Asia’s First Hydrogen-Powered Coffee Roasting Plant in Champasak
Laos has unveiled Asia’s first hydrogen-powered coffee roasting facility in Champasak province, marking a milestone in sustainable agri-processing. Coffee is already Laos’ top value-added agricultural export, generating over US$200 million annually, and the new plant is expected to elevate product quality and expand access to premium global markets. Developed through a partnership between Japanese investor Ryutaro Nishio, local producers, and the Lao government, the pilot facility roasts beans at around 200°C using hydrogen fuel, eliminating carbon dioxide emissions associated with conventional fossil-fuel roasting. Powered by Laos’ abundant hydropower resources, which enable relatively low-cost hydrogen production, the project aims to position “100 percent clean coffee” as a national signature product. Following the pilot’s success, construction is underway for a larger plant with a planned capacity of 5,000 tonnes per year, targeted for full-scale production in 2027—promising higher incomes for farmers and strengthening the country’s sustainable export strategy.
Renewables and Hydrogen Drive Central Asia’s Energy Ambitions
Central Asia is rapidly advancing renewable energy and hydrogen projects as it seeks to diversify its economies and strengthen ties with Europe, which is accelerating its shift away from Russian fossil fuels under initiatives like REPowerEU. Countries such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan are expanding solar, wind, and hydropower capacity while investing in large-scale hydrogen production, including Kazakhstan’s ambitious Hyrasia One project and Uzbekistan’s first green hydrogen plant launched in 2025. At the same time, the region’s vast reserves of critical raw materials essential for clean energy technologies enhance its strategic importance. Major cross-border initiatives such as the Trans-Caspian Green Energy Corridor and CASA-1000 aim to connect Central Asian power grids with Europe and South Asia, positioning the region as an emerging hub for clean electricity exports and green hydrogen development in the evolving global energy landscape.
Link: https://caspianpost.com/analytics/renewables-and-hydrogen-drive-central-asia-s-energy-ambitions
Kazakhstan, Germany Discuss Green Hydrogen Production and Export
Kazakhstan and Germany have reaffirmed their strategic partnership with a renewed focus on energy cooperation, including the production and export of green hydrogen to Germany and other EU countries. During talks in Berlin, Kazakh Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev and German Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Katherina Reiche discussed expanding collaboration in industrial technology, logistics, digitalization, and sustainable energy. Alongside ongoing Kazakh oil supplies to the Schwedt refinery, both sides explored Kazakhstan’s potential to become a key supplier of green hydrogen to support Europe’s energy transition. The ministers also emphasized joint projects in mechanical engineering, chemicals, and mining, as well as strengthening transport corridors such as the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, underscoring their commitment to deepening long-term economic and clean-energy cooperation.
Link: https://qazinform.com/news/kazakhstan-germany-discuss-green-hydrogen-production-and-export-81ee90
The Green Great Game: Crafting an EU–Central Asia Energy Alliance
In its 14 January 2026 policy brief, the European Council on Foreign Relations argues that Central Asia’s effort to diversify partnerships beyond Russia and China creates a timely opening for the EU to build a durable energy alliance anchored in renewables and critical raw materials—the two areas with the strongest mutual strategic payoff. The brief highlights improving regional cooperation and the Middle Corridor/Trans-Caspian route, with Türkiye and Azerbaijan increasingly positioned as logistical and diplomatic gateways to Europe, but warns that delivery is constrained by weak legal protections, outdated grids and infrastructure, water scarcity, slow investment mobilisation, and intense competition (especially from China). It recommends the EU move faster and more pragmatically, prioritising tangible, bankable projects (especially with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan), scaling grid modernisation and cross-border interconnections, investing not only in extraction but also processing of critical materials, and treating hydrogen primarily as a near-term tool for domestic industrial decarbonisation rather than an export play until markets and infrastructure mature.
Link: https://ecfr.eu/publication/the-green-great-game-crafting-an-eu-central-asia-energy-alliance/
How India Can Enhance Global Energy Security Through Green Hydrogen
India is emerging as one of the world’s most cost-competitive producers of green hydrogen and green ammonia, positioning itself not only to decarbonize its domestic industries but also to become a strategic supplier in future global clean energy trade. Backed by abundant low-cost renewable electricity, supportive policy frameworks, and growing industrial demand, recent price discoveries—such as SECI’s record-low green ammonia bid of INR 49.75/kg and competitive refinery hydrogen tenders—signal rapid cost convergence with conventional fuels. Although global import demand projections have moderated, Europe and East Asia are still expected to create a meaningful market of 3.4–6 million tons annually by 2030, offering India a viable export pathway. A dual-track strategy that scales both domestic uptake and export corridors—supported by hydrogen-ready port infrastructure, aligned certification standards, strategic partnerships, and de-risking finance tools—can convert India’s production cost advantage into reliable cargo flows, helping diversify global energy supply chains and strengthen long-term energy security.
Link: https://rmi.org/how-india-can-enhance-global-energy-security-through-green-hydrogen/
ACWA Power to Launch Indonesia’s Flagship Green Ammonia Project
Saudi-listed ACWA Power is set to begin commercial operations this year on Indonesia’s Garuda Green Hydrogen (GH2) Project, marking a major step in the country’s green hydrogen ambitions. Developed in partnership with state utility PT PLN and fertilizer producer PT Pupuk Indonesia, the US$1 billion project will be powered by 600 MW of solar and wind capacity and is expected to produce up to 150,000 tons of green ammonia annually. Indonesian officials describe the initiative as central to accelerating the national energy transition, while ACWA Power highlights it as part of its expanding clean energy footprint in Southeast Asia. As global momentum behind hydrogen intensifies following G20 climate commitments, the project positions Indonesia among emerging regional leaders in large-scale green ammonia production.
Hong Kong Backs Cross-Border Push for Regional SAF Hub
Hong Kong’s Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po has called for Asia to develop a regional sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production hub, suggesting Hong Kong could co-invest in cross-border projects in mainland China to overcome its own land, feedstock, and infrastructure constraints. Speaking at Davos, Chan highlighted the city’s 2050 carbon neutrality target and interim goal of cutting emissions 50% from 2005 levels by 2035, noting that stronger regional cooperation is essential to scale SAF production and hydrogen deployment. The proposal reflects growing recognition that decarbonising aviation in Asia will require coordinated investment, shared infrastructure, and integrated supply chains rather than isolated national efforts.
Hydrexia Completes First Regional Maritime Shipment of Solid-State Hydrogen
Hydrexia Holding Limited has successfully completed the first-ever regional maritime shipment of solid-state hydrogen using its metal hydride storage container (MHX), marking a milestone for cross-border hydrogen transport in Asia. Conducted in collaboration with SEDC Energy (SEDCE) of Malaysia, the months-long maritime roadshow demonstrated the commercial viability, enhanced safety, and cost-efficiency of solid-state hydrogen logistics compared to conventional methods. Company executives highlighted the Proof-of-Concept as a critical step toward commercial negotiations and broader regional adoption, with partners in Malaysia and Vietnam underscoring MHX’s intrinsic safety and ton-scale production capacity. The achievement positions Hydrexia’s technology as a potential enabler of regional hydrogen trade and the expansion of green hydrogen infrastructure across Asia.
Sylvan Group and SK Innovation Commit $300M to Scale Hydrogen Bus Network in South Korea
Singapore-based private equity firm The Sylvan Group, backed by members of the Hyundai family, has partnered with SK Innovation to invest approximately $300 million in expanding hydrogen mobility infrastructure in South Korea. The investment, executed through SK Hyverse, will fund the development of 29 liquefied hydrogen refueling hubs and support more than 6,000 hydrogen-powered buses by 2029. Strategically located near major bus depots and supplied through long-term agreements with SK’s liquefied hydrogen facilities in Incheon, the platform aims to create a scalable and operationally efficient model for heavy-duty transport decarbonization. Following proof of performance in South Korea, the partners plan to explore expansion into other Asian markets, positioning hydrogen as a competitive alternative to battery-electric solutions for high-utilization bus fleets.
DHL Expands SAF, Electric Fleets and Carbon-Neutral Hubs Across Asia Pacific
DHL has accelerated its decarbonisation strategy in Asia Pacific by contracting nearly 20 million litres of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in 2025 for flights from Narita, Incheon and Singapore, advancing its goal of 30% SAF usage by 2030. Through its GoGreen Plus book-and-claim model, more than 153,000 customers reduced Scope 3 emissions from air shipments, while maritime operations secured 8,800 metric tons of second-generation UCOME biofuel with CMA CGM to cut ocean freight emissions. On land, DHL deployed over 1,800 electric vehicles across the region and began hydrogen truck trials in Japan, alongside opening a fully renewable-powered warehouse in Thailand featuring a 4.2 MWp solar array. Together, these measures signal a structural shift in fuel procurement, fleet management and logistics infrastructure, embedding low-carbon options deeper into regional freight and supply chain operations.
Link: https://blog.gettransport.com/news/sustainable-aviation-fuel-contracts/
Study Reveals How Hydrogen Accelerates Metal Fatigue Cracks
New research published in Science and Technology of Advanced Materials by scientists from Kyushu University and the National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) in Japan sheds light on how hydrogen accelerates metal fatigue, a critical issue for hydrogen-based energy systems. Through experiments on low-carbon steel in hydrogen-enriched environments, the team found that hydrogen atoms accumulate at crack tips and interact with crystal defects, influencing crack growth depending on temperature and loading rate. At lower temperatures and higher load frequencies, hydrogen becomes strongly trapped at crack tips, accelerating crack propagation, while higher temperatures allow hydrogen to diffuse more freely, reducing stress and slowing crack growth. The findings clarify how environmental and mechanical factors shape hydrogen-induced damage, offering valuable insights for safer fracture mechanics-based design of components used in hydrogen infrastructure.
Link: https://www.asiaresearchnews.com/content/how-hydrogen-causes-metal-fatigue
Asian Majors Join Intercontinental Energy’s Western Green Energy Hub
Major Asian companies, including China’s Sany International Development and several South Korean firms, have signed feasibility phase agreements to advance Intercontinental Energy’s (ICE) Western Green Energy Hub (WGEH) in Western Australia, a mega-scale green hydrogen project targeting final investment decision (FID) in 2029. The proposed facility aims to produce 330,000 tonnes per year of green hydrogen-derived ammonia for maritime fuel and export to Asian markets, powered by around 6 GW of wind and solar capacity. The new partnerships will support pre-FEED studies, cost refinement, infrastructure planning, and EPC coordination, strengthening the project’s business case ahead of FID. Backed by ICE, CWP Global, and Mirning Green Energy, and supported by prior environmental approvals and government funding, WGEH represents one of the world’s largest planned renewable hydrogen developments.
Elcogen Expands into India and APAC with Solid Oxide Green Hydrogen Technology
European clean energy technology firm Elcogen has announced its strategic expansion into India and the wider Asia-Pacific region, appointing Anil Srikar Pavuluri as Business Development Director to drive regional growth. The move comes amid rapidly rising energy demand and accelerating renewable deployment across India and APAC, where industrialisation and electrification are reshaping energy systems. Elcogen specialises in high-efficiency solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) and solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOEC), capable of producing hydrogen at 33–40 kWh/kg and achieving electrical efficiencies of up to 75%, exceeding 90% when waste heat is utilised. With an operational manufacturing capacity of 360 MW, the company aims to support hard-to-abate sectors, data centres, and microgrids by integrating high-efficiency hydrogen production and clean power solutions into fast-growing regional markets.
Southeast Asia Targets 70% Renewables by 2050 Amid Investment Gaps
Southeast Asia, now the world’s fourth-largest energy consumer with demand rising 3% annually, is aiming to lift renewable energy’s share from under 30% today to more than 70% by 2050, despite fossil fuels still generating over 73% of its electricity. While ASEAN nations have set 2030 climate targets and are prioritising renewables, cross-border transmission, hydrogen, and carbon capture, the region faces a major financing shortfall—requiring at least $200 billion annually by 2030 but attracting only around $50 billion in 2025. Countries such as Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines are accelerating clean energy deployment through large-scale solar, wind, hydropower, and international transition partnerships, yet coal consumption is projected to continue rising through 2030. Strengthening regional cooperation via the ASEAN Power Grid, harmonising policies, and unlocking private capital will be critical to achieving the bloc’s long-term decarbonisation ambitions.
Link: https://www.saurenergy.asia/southeast-asia-energy-transition-from-coal-to-70-renewables-by-2050/
Marubeni Conducts World’s First Overseas Shipment of Hydrogen Stored in Metal
Japan’s trading house Marubeni has successfully completed what it describes as the world’s first international shipment of hydrogen stored in a metal hydride alloy, marking a potential breakthrough in hydrogen logistics. The company transported hydrogen trapped within a specialized alloy housed inside a standard shipping container, after spending a year resolving regulatory and safety hurdles. Metal hydride technology allows hydrogen to be stored in solid form, improving safety and density compared to compressed or liquefied hydrogen, and could reduce costs and risks associated with long-distance transport. The milestone signals growing efforts to commercialize alternative hydrogen storage and shipping methods as global clean energy trade expands.
Singapore to Build 600 MW Hydrogen-Ready Power Plant
Singapore has approved the construction of a 600 MW hydrogen-ready combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plant on Jurong Island, with operations targeted for the first half of 2026. Developed by Keppel Energy following a final investment decision, the S$750 million Keppel Sakra Cogen Plant will initially run on natural gas with up to 30% hydrogen blending capability, and is designed for future full hydrogen conversion. Built by a consortium including Mitsubishi Power Asia Pacific and Jurong Engineering, the high-efficiency facility is expected to cut around 220,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually while supplying both electricity and industrial steam. The project will expand Keppel’s generation portfolio to 1,900 MW and marks a significant step in Singapore’s strategy to decarbonise its power sector, which accounts for nearly 40% of national emissions.
Link: https://energiesmedia.com/singapore-to-construct-hydrogen-power-station/
Toyota and Honda Hit by Fuel Cell Vehicle Slump as Hydrogen Stations Decline
Japan’s hydrogen vehicle ambitions are facing renewed pressure as the number of hydrogen refueling stations shrinks, leaving around 90% of the country without convenient access to fueling infrastructure. Annual fuel cell vehicle (FCV) sales have fallen more than 80% since 2021, impacting automakers such as Toyota and Honda, which had positioned models like the Toyota Mirai as flagships of a hydrogen-powered future. The retreat in station availability raises costs and reduces consumer confidence, creating a negative cycle in which weak demand discourages further infrastructure investment. The downturn underscores the persistent challenge of scaling hydrogen mobility, even as Japan continues to pursue broader hydrogen strategies across industry and energy sectors.
India Tightens ESG Framework with SEBI Disclosures and Green Incentives
India is strengthening its environmental, social and governance (ESG) landscape through expanded regulatory disclosures, green credit incentives and sector-specific transition programmes, even without a single unified ESG law. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) now requires the top 1,000 listed companies to publish enhanced business responsibility and sustainability reports, including third-party verification and value-chain disclosures, increasing accountability and curbing greenwashing. Government initiatives such as the Green Hydrogen Mission, the 2023 Green Credit Programme and the FAME electric mobility scheme further embed sustainability into industrial and transport policy. ESG due diligence has also become central to mergers and acquisitions, with investors negotiating protections against climate and governance risks. Together, these measures position ESG not merely as compliance but as a strategic driver of resilience, capital access and long-term enterprise value in India.
Link: https://law.asia/esg-compliance-india/
Sylvan Group and SK Innovation Commit $300M to Expand Korea’s Hydrogen Bus Network
Singapore-based private equity firm Sylvan Group, backed by members of the Hyundai family, has teamed up with SK Innovation to invest US$300 million in South Korea’s hydrogen mobility sector through the SK Hyverse platform. The plan includes building 29 liquefied hydrogen refueling hubs and supporting more than 6,000 hydrogen-powered buses by 2029, with supply secured from SK’s Incheon liquefied hydrogen facilities. While the initiative signals strong private-sector confidence in hydrogen transport, execution will depend on long-term offtake agreements, expanded supply capacity, and stable policy support, particularly after the cancellation of South Korea’s 2025 clean hydrogen power tender. The rollout will also require advanced station monitoring systems, IoT-based safety infrastructure, and robust cybersecurity as the country scales its hydrogen ecosystem.
Boryeong Breaks Ground on Korea’s First Green Hydrogen Base at Former Coal Plant Site
Boryeong City in South Chungcheong Province has begun construction of a 2.5 MW water electrolysis-based green hydrogen production facility on idle land within the Shin Boryeong coal-fired power plant site, marking a symbolic shift from coal to clean energy. Developed in partnership with South Chungcheong Province, Korea Midland Power, Hyundai Engineering and other firms, the project is expected to produce around 395 tons of green hydrogen annually—enough to fuel approximately 79,000 hydrogen passenger vehicles. As the first initiative in South Korea to repurpose a large-scale thermal power plant site for hydrogen production, the project is being framed as a “just transition” model, aiming to offset coal phase-down impacts by creating local jobs, building a regional hydrogen supply chain, and positioning Boryeong as an emerging eco-friendly energy hub.
Link: https://www.asiae.co.kr/en/article/economic-general/2026022308321146786