Todays Latest Updates: 17 April 2026

Hydrogen: Chile. A pilot project in Chile’s Coquimbo region is injecting green hydrogen into natural gas distribution networks supplying around 4,600 households. The system, operated by gas distribution company GasValpo in the cities of La Serena and Coquimbo, currently blends 10% green hydrogen with 90% natural gas for residential use. The project began with a hydrogen blending ratio of 3.5%, later rising to 5% following the installation of an electrolyser. The operator aims to increase the share to 15% during 2026, with a longer-term target of reaching a 20% hydrogen mix. Link 17/04/2026.

Marine fuels: Belgium. Belgian shipping company EXMAR has named the world’s first ocean-going vessels capable of running on ammonia as fuel. The two 46,000 cubic meter mid-size gas carriers, christened Antwerpen and Arlon. The vessels draw fuel directly from their cargo tanks, giving operators flexibility conventional vessels cannot match. Development involved HD Hyundai, Wärtsilä, WinGD, and Lloyd’s Register. Link17/04/2026.

Marine fuels: Hong Kong. Venture Energy, a subsidiary of shipowner Wah Kwong Maritime Transport, has signed a green methanol procurement agreement with Shanghai Shenji Energy, with first delivery scheduled for the first half of 2026. The methanol, produced from municipal waste, crop straw, and livestock manure, carries ISCC EU certification and meets the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive requirements. Link 17/04/2026.

Methanol: China. Kangping County, Shenyang is developing a facility that will produce 100,000 tonnes of green methanol annually. The plant will use waste straw as its primary raw material, which will be processed into synthesis gas. This gas will then be combined with green hydrogen generated from 6.5 MW wind-powered electrolysers to produce methanol. The facility will also be supported by a 70 MW/140 MWh battery energy storage system to stabilise renewable energy use, along with hydrogen storage infrastructure, including a tank with a capacity of 5.4 tonnes. Link 17/04/2026.