The Energy Transition Centre in downtown Calgary and the Calgary Region Hydrogen Hub are set to play a central role in Alberta’s evolving clean tech landscape thanks to new federal investments announced this week.
On Thursday, the Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, unveiled over $8.3 million in funding for 13 Alberta-based projects aimed at advancing sustainable innovation in the province’s energy and natural resources sectors.
Leading the initiative are two cornerstone investments: $2 million to expand the Energy Transition Centre and $1.5 million to establish the Calgary Region Hydrogen Hub.
The Energy Transition Centre—already home to some of Canada’s largest energy firms and a growing ecosystem of clean energy startups—will use the new funding to scale operations, support more clean tech ventures, and deepen collaborations between industry, academia, and investors. This builds on a previous $2.1 million investment from PrairiesCan to establish the Centre as a nexus for clean energy innovation.
Meanwhile, the Calgary Region Hydrogen Hub will receive $1.5 million to strengthen Alberta’s position in the emerging hydrogen economy. The hub aims to connect Calgary’s growing capabilities with existing hubs in Edmonton and Vancouver, positioning the region as a key player in the national and global hydrogen market. An additional $50,000 will fund a feasibility study for a similar initiative in the Grande Prairie region.
“These investments are about future-proofing Alberta’s economy,” said Minister Anand. “By supporting clean technologies and regional innovation, we’re ensuring that Albertans can thrive in both traditional and emerging sectors.”
Additional funding highlights include over $1.6 million for six projects that will explore renewable energy solutions for Indigenous communities, and $1.8 million in repayable funding to help Calgary-based FulcrumAir scale its UAV and robotics technology to global markets.
Three other projects, receiving a total of $1.3 million, focus on clean tech training, mentorship, and commercialization. These include a freshwater innovation challenge by AquaAction, a mentorship program through the Pathways Alliance, and a digital clean tech marketplace led by ROA Gateways Corporation.
In total, the initiatives are expected to support around 240 jobs across Alberta, further aligning with the federal government’s Green Prairie Economy Framework, which emphasizes collaboration and local leadership in building a sustainable, net-zero future.
“Alberta has the raw materials, the talent, and the entrepreneurial spirit,” Anand added. “What we’re doing is unlocking that potential in a way that benefits both the economy and the environment.”
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