HTEC, Canada’s prominent clean hydrogen solutions company, marked a significant milestone with the groundbreaking ceremony for its 2-tonne-per-day green hydrogen production and liquid transfer facility in Burnaby, BC.
The facility, situated on land designated for heavy industrial use, will have the capacity to produce 1 tonne of low-carbon hydrogen per day through electrolysis, powered by BC Hydro’s grid, which sources over 98% of its power from clean, renewable sources, primarily hydroelectric. Additionally, a liquid hydrogen transfer system will provide an extra 1-tonne-per-day capacity as required. This plant will be BC’s first large-scale electrolyser facility exclusively focused on fueling zero-emission fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) and supporting the province’s zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate. The facility is expected to commence operations in late 2023.
Currently, the availability of hydrogen supply in BC is limited, causing vehicle manufacturers to postpone deploying more zero-emission FCEVs in the region. However, the new facility will significantly expand capacity, supplying fuel for up to 60 heavy-duty zero-emission trucks or 4,000 zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell passenger cars. This could lead to a reduction of approximately 11,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year.
In addition to the environmental benefits, the project is set to have positive economic impacts on the local economy. It will create and sustain 14 jobs in BC directly related to the construction and operation of the plant, as well as spur growth in supporting industries. HTEC has secured funding for the project from the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada and Natural Resources Canada, affirming the government’s commitment to advancing the hydrogen sector.
The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, expressed the significance of British Columbian innovation in shaping a cleaner future and highlighted the support from PacifiCan in scaling up companies like HTEC to drive economic growth and environmental progress.
Colin Armstrong, President and CEO of HTEC, expressed gratitude for the unwavering federal, provincial, and municipal support throughout the development of hydrogen infrastructure across British Columbia and Canada. He emphasized that the project aligns with the City of Burnaby’s Climate Action Framework and contributes to the GHG emission reduction targets set by CleanBC. Armstrong believes that the facility will solidify British Columbia’s leadership in decarbonization efforts and pave the way towards a thriving hydrogen economy by 2050.
