Alberta Paves the Way as Canada’s Leading Hydrogen Producer: $50 Million Investment Fuels Clean Energy Innovation

Alberta is the largest hydrogen producer in Canada.

The province has all the resources, expertise, and technology required to be a global supplier of clean, low-cost hydrogen. With a worldwide market estimated to be as much as $11 trillion a year by 2050, the hydrogen economy will create thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in economic activity.

Alberta’s clean energy leadership will be further enhanced by investing in innovation and the Government of Alberta is doing that.

Alberta announced this week that it is providing $50 million through Alberta Innovates and Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA) to support researchers, innovators, companies and industry to develop technologies that are critical to advancing the Province’s Hydrogen Roadmap and Natural Gas Strategy.

$25 million in funding will come from ERA for later-stage innovations through their Accelerating Hydrogen Challenge and $20-25 million will come from Alberta Innovates to support early-stage innovations through the Hydrogen Centre of Excellence Competition 2, and additional funding will also come from Natural Resources Canada (NRCan).

Proposals are being accepted in areas including hydrogen production, storage, transmission, and end-use in heavy-duty transportation, industrial heat, power, and chemicals, commercial and residential heating, and other industries.

ERA-funded projects must be completed in 36 months, and Alberta Innovates-funded projects must be completed in 24 months. Alberta Innovates, ERA and NRCan are providing a coordinated one-window approach for these two parallel funding competitions to reduce red tape for applicants.

The competition is open to technology developers, industry, industrial associations, small and medium-sized enterprises, research and development (R&D) organizations, post-secondary institutions, municipalities, not-for-profit organizations, Indigenous businesses, municipalities, government research labs and more.

The Hydrogen Centre of Excellence advances technology and innovation ensuring Alberta remains a global energy system leader.