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Backed by Over $2 Million in Funding From Three Levels of Government
Edmonton, AB – Picture a future for the Edmonton Region where buses, trains, heavy trucks, home heating and farm machinery all run on zero-emissions hydrogen fuel, an essential component of the new clean energy system. The region has established itself as a leader in Canada’s energy transition through the production, use and export of low-carbon hydrogen, ushering in a wave of clean energy jobs and ensuring a strong economic future.
This is the vision for the Edmonton Region Hydrogen HUB launched today by an alliance of government, Indigenous, academic and economic development leaders to kickstart the Edmonton Region’s low- carbon hydrogen economy and position the region, Alberta and Canada for success as the world shifts towards a low-carbon future to address climate change.
Backed by $1.2 million in funding from Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD), $600,000 from Alberta’s Industrial Heartland Association and $450,000 from the Province of Alberta through Emissions Reduction Alberta, the HUB’s leadership team includes Chair and Sturgeon County Mayor
Alanna Hnatiw, Vice-Chair and Enoch Cree Nation Chief William Morin, Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson, Fort Saskatchewan Mayor Gale Katchur, Strathcona County Mayor Rod Frank, Lamont County Reeve David Diduck and Alexander First Nation Chief George Arcand, Jr. The Edmonton Region Hydrogen HUB is also supported by The Transition Accelerator and Edmonton Global.
The HUB’s launch comes as countries around the world set net-zero targets and identify hydrogen as a vital low-carbon fuel. A final report released by Alberta’s Industrial Heartland Hydrogen Task Force outlined that Canadian hydrogen has a wholesale market potential of up to $100 billion a year and identified the Edmonton Region as the best launch point for a pan-Canadian hydrogen economy.
The region is well-positioned for success because it has one of the lowest hydrogen production costs in the world, existing experience in hydrogen production, a vast network of pipeline infrastructure, and suitable and existing sites for carbon capture, utilization and storage which are necessary to upgrade natural gas into hydrogen for use as a low-carbon fuel. The report also found that the best way to quickly achieve sufficient scale for a strong Canada-wide hydrogen economy is through the creation and deliberate connection of regional hydrogen HUBs across the country.
The Edmonton Region Hydrogen HUB is an example of an early hydrogen deployment HUB as outlined in the Hydrogen Strategy for Canada and will serve as a blueprint of how to accelerate a strong regional hydrogen economy that can be replicated in other regions across the country with low-cost, low-carbon hydrogen.
The HUB’s launch is a signal that work to establish a hydrogen economy in the Edmonton Region has begun. With support from The Transition Accelerator, planning is underway for over 25 potential projects related to the supply, delivery and use of low-carbon hydrogen. Potential projects include the use of hydrogen for municipal and commercial vehicle fleets and home and industrial heat and power, with more specific project details to come as they are available.
“This investment to launch the Edmonton Region Hydrogen HUB to accelerate the production and distribution of hydrogen fuel is part of our government’s Hydrogen Strategy and will help us achieve our goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. Today’s announcement demonstrates how our government is committed to investing in the economy, creating jobs and supporting our energy workers.” – The Honourable Jim Carr, Special Representative for the Prairies
“Hydrogen has the potential to be not just a key part of the world’s cleaner energy future, but the future of Alberta’s dynamic energy industry. The launch of the Edmonton Region Hydrogen HUB is a critical step towards building that future by establishing the local connections which will pave the way for provincial, national, and international networks in the years to come. The Government of Alberta is proud to be a partner in the development of this first Canadian HUB and we look forward to continuing our partnership with The Transition Accelerator, other levels of government, and industry as the hydrogen economy continues to gather momentum.” – Dale Nally, Associate Minister of Natural Gas and Electricity, Government of Alberta
“Hydrogen is redefining how we use our natural resources and the Alberta’s Industrial Heartland Association is proud to support the Edmonton Region Hydrogen HUB and its goal of accelerating a strong pan-Canadian hydrogen economy. Enthusiasm for hydrogen may be new to the world, but it’s not new to us. Advanced infrastructure, innovation, a highly skilled workforce, and low-cost feedstock, position our region as a leader in Canada’s hydrogen future. Our team is committed to stewarding this relevant work for our economy and our environment.” – Alanna Hnatiw, Chair, Edmonton Region Hydrogen HUB, Chair, Alberta’s Industrial Heartland Association and Mayor, Sturgeon County
“Achieving the low-carbon economy required of us will be a challenge; the hydrogen HUB checks all the boxes representing solutions to this challenge including: practical use of our current energy sector infrastructure and resources, the opportunity to be a global leader in an emerging industry, and the local unprecedented collaboration needed to achieve our ambitions.” – William Morin, Vice-Chair, Edmonton Region Hydrogen HUB and Chief, Enoch Cree Nation
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