The state of Ontario in Canda has announced its hydrogen strategy, identifying five potential hydrogen hubs and backing a 20MW green hydrogen production project in Niagara Falls.

The government says the strategy could support over 100,000 jobs and reduce emissions by 50mn t/yr by 2050—the equivalent of taking about 15mn cars off the road.  

“As a fuel that can be produced and used with little to no greenhouse gas emissions, low-carbon hydrogen has tremendous potential to help us meet our long-term economic and environmental goals,” says environment minister David Piccini. “Supporting innovation and investment in clean technologies will help secure a cleaner, more prosperous Ontario now and for generations to come.”

Atura Power—Ontario’s largest operator of combined cycle gas-fired power plants—is conducting a feasibility study for the green hydrogen project with FID due to be taken by this summer. Pending an award of federal funding, the project could be commissioned by 2024. The state government is already supporting the project by providing an exemption from a levy on electricity generation.

“Supply of hydrogen produced by Atura Power will enable heavy-emitting industries and transport to plan their transition to lower carbon fuels,” says Chris Fralick, president of Atura Power. “We look forward to working with our partners and industry leaders to help advance this clean technology, bringing the Niagara region to the forefront of the clean energy and hydrogen economy.”

“Low-carbon hydrogen has tremendous potential” Piccini, Ontario environment minister

The government will also work with the transport and industry sectors to develop demand and ensure offtake.

"Not only will this create jobs and promote innovation, but it will also allow government and industry to explore the viability of hydrogen fuel for use in the trucking sector,” says Stephen Laskowski, president of industry body the Ontario Trucking Association (OTA).  

“OTA looks forward to working with the government of Ontario and our members as we jointly build towards a more environmentally sustainable future in our industry,” he adds.

Ontario is home to technology firm Hydrogen Optimized’s Ruggedcell electrolyser manufacturing facility as well as a number of smaller innovative firms such as ammonia fuel technology firm Hydrofuel.

Federal strategy

Canada announced its federal hydrogen strategy in January. The federal government expects blue hydrogen to dominate production in the shorter term, but additional hubs to emerge as green hydrogen becomes increasingly economic to produce.

But both the federal and Ontario strategies lack capacity targets or operational support mechanisms.

The federal government has committed C$1.5bn ($1.2bn) to a low-carbon and zero-emissions fuels fund, only part of which will go towards hydrogen.

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Author: Tom Young