The government of British Columbia has unveiled a major investment of CAD $900 million (approximately USD $650 million) in a groundbreaking project to build a network of hydrogen production plants and refueling stations across the province.
This ambitious initiative aims to accelerate decarbonization efforts and create nearly 300 jobs.
Project to Build 20 Hydrogen Refueling Stations
The funding for this project includes a significant CAD $337 million loan from the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB). These funds will specifically support HTEC’s endeavor to construct 20 refueling stations for fuel cell vehicles. While 18 of these stations will be strategically located throughout British Columbia, the remaining two will be built in neighboring Alberta.
The CIB and the British Columbia government have confirmed that the network’s hydrogen fuel will be produced at three primary plants located in Prince George, Nanaimo, and Burnaby. Additionally, a dedicated facility in North Vancouver will liquefy 15 metric tons of byproduct hydrogen.
This comprehensive project, known as the H2 Gateway, is expected to generate over 280 jobs in the province. Furthermore, the provincial government has highlighted that 14 of the new stations will be equipped to refuel up to 300 heavy-duty vehicles daily.
Promoting Hydrogen-Powered Vehicles
The government emphasizes the substantial range and rapid refueling times of hydrogen-powered vehicles, making them an attractive alternative for transportation. The development of a robust hydrogen refueling network is considered crucial to support the widespread adoption of these clean vehicles.
Building a Hydrogen Economy
The project’s announcement was attended by Premier of British Columbia David Eby, federal Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson, and other officials. Eby stressed the economic imperative of acting on climate change, stating, “We can’t afford to miss this economic opportunity.” He highlighted that inaction on climate change would not only result in higher costs from extreme weather events like forest fires, but also stifle the creation of new jobs, investments, and opportunities in the burgeoning clean energy sector.