(Yicai Global) Jan. 8 -- The Chinese economic powerhouse of Guangdong province had built 30 hydrogen refueling stations as of the end of last year, a quarter of the country’s total, according to a new report.

The southeastern province has another 29 either under construction or at the planning stage and is aiming for 90 by 2025, according to Chinese financial advisory firm The Orange Group. Shanghai is close behind with 10 stations and another 28 in the works.

Forty-seven refueling stations were built nationwide in 2020, compared to 40 in 2019, the Shanghai-based group said. The country now has 118 stations, 101 of which are in operation, it added.

The infrastructure is vital for the development of the hydrogen fuel cell industry, He Guangli, manager of the hydrogen technology development department at the National Institute of Clean-and-Low-Carbon Energy, told Yicai Global. Only once the recharging stations are built can companies developing fuel cells and fuel cell vehicles feel confident.

However, the country still relies on imports for the core components of hydrogen refueling stations, such as storage tanks and compressors, several industry insiders told Yicai Global. Domestic technology has yet to reach international standards, they said.

China plans to have 1,000 stations by the end of 2030 and one million hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said previously.

Editors: Tang Shihua, Kim Taylor