A latest hydrogen market outlook report released by the international energy research firm Wood Mackenzie points out that 2026 will mark a critical watershed for the global hydrogen industry, transitioning from being "policy-vision driven" to being driven by both "policy and market forces." The report emphasizes that, following a period of intensive policy releases and rapidly rising market expectations, the global hydrogen industry is now entering a more rational and pivotal development stage.

1. Industry Transformation: From Policy-Driven to Dual-Driven

The report clearly states that projects with genuine commercial viability will accelerate their implementation, while those lacking stable demand support and relying solely on policy expectations may face stagnation or even forced adjustments. This signifies a fundamental shift in the development logic of the global hydrogen sector—from relying on policy support to depending on the dual pillars of market demand and economic efficiency.

In this process, 2026 will witness a systematic "screening" of the global hydrogen industry, with economic viability and sustainability serving as the core criteria. This indicates that the industry will enter a substantive phase of natural selection, where only projects combining technical feasibility with commercial competitiveness will achieve sustainable development.

2. Regional Divergence: Significant Differences in Development Paths

Wood Mackenzie observes clear regional divergence characteristics in the report: some industrial hydrogen targets in the European Union face practical revisions, large export-oriented projects in the Middle East are under pressure, while markets with complete industrial chains, cost control capabilities, and sustained investment capacity are gradually demonstrating comparative advantages.

This divergence reflects differences in the foundational conditions, resource endowments, and market environments for hydrogen development across regions. The report specifically highlights that China has evolved from an early-stage technology explorer and demonstration promoter into a key driving force in the global clean hydrogen development. Its progress in large-scale deployment, cost reduction, and industrial maturity is profoundly influencing the evolutionary path of the global hydrogen industry.

3. China's Role: From Explorer to Key Driver

The report analyzes that China, through large-scale project deployment, industrial chain integration, and coordinated advancement across both manufacturing and application ends, is reshaping the cost curve and industrial ecosystem of global clean hydrogen. This not only facilitates the transition of hydrogen technology from demonstration applications to commercialization but also provides a replicable and scalable development pathway for the global market.

The Chinese electrolyzer industry possesses competitive advantages in terms of cost, manufacturing capability, and shorter delivery times. These advantages are translating into tangible market share, driving down the cost of global hydrogen equipment and enhancing the efficiency of project delivery.

4. Future Direction: Sustainability as the Key Focus

Wood Mackenzie's report outlines a clear development trajectory for the global hydrogen industry: the 2026 watershed will rigorously distinguish which projects can survive and develop based on genuine commercial value and which will remain confined to policy visions. In this systematic screening based on the core criteria of economic viability and sustainability, market participants with complete industrial chains and cost advantages will lead the industry toward a sustainable future.

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