Funding of more than $9.74 million through PrairiesCan will support more than 1,600 jobs and ensure Alberta continues to be a global leader and great place to invest in the rapidly growing hydrogen sector
Alberta's access to low-cost natural gas reserves and a capable workforce skilled in the natural resource sector provide the province with a competitive advantage to benefit both economically and environmentally from the rapidly growing hydrogen industry. All Canadians will benefit as the province seizes this opportunity, with support from the Government of Canada through strategic investments to advance Alberta's hydrogen industry.
Today, the Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister for PrairiesCan, together with the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister for Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance, announced a federal investment of more than $9.74 million to improve access to hydrogen fuels, support product testing, attract investment to Alberta's hydrogen industry, and increase the availability of quality training opportunities to commercialize new technologies all while supporting good-paying jobs Alberta workers can rely on.
Strengthening the hydrogen supply chain and increasing investment in the Edmonton region
Edmonton Global is receiving a total of $3,744,000 for two projects to strengthen the regional hydrogen supply chain and expand investment initiatives to grow the Edmonton regional economy.
- An investment of $3 million will help increase the scale and scope of foreign direct investment initiatives that target specific subsectors such as hydrogen. Funding enables Edmonton Global to host international events, including the 2023 Canadian Hydrogen Convention; expand international promotion of the Edmonton region; and develop new tools and materials for potential investors.
- In addition, $744,000 will enable Edmonton Global to develop the Edmonton region's hydrogen supply chain and labour market. It will help create an online database of regional small- and medium-sized businesses with capacity to move into the hydrogen supply chain, workshops focused on advancing the hydrogen economy, and engagement with businesses and post-secondary institutions to compile a hydrogen labour market assessment that will identify skills and training needs.
Increasing access to hydrogen refueling equipment and facilities
The Alberta Motor Transport Association and the University of Alberta are receiving $3 million to increase access to hydrogen fuel and showcase the benefits of hydrogen technology for heavy vehicles.
- This initiative will encourage the adoption of hydrogen fuel by Alberta's heavy vehicle sector-including freight trucks, municipal buses and heavy equipment-by supporting product testing to demonstrate the real-world capabilities of hydrogen powered heavy vehicles.
- Key activities include acquiring hydrogen fuelling equipment in Calgary and Edmonton to carry out pilot projects involving hydrogen fuel for trucks, buses and heavy equipment; providing fleet operators the opportunity to trial the use of hydrogen fuel; an educational and public awareness tour to engage industry; and the commissioning of a pilot hydrogen fuelling station in Calgary.
Upgrading testing facilities for hydrogen fuel infrastructure
Edmonton's C-FER Technologies is also receiving $3 million to upgrade its testing facility for hydrogen fuel infrastructure, equipment and technologies.
- Working with technology providers and end users, C-FER will conduct a testing program to ensure the safe, efficient and reliable performance of hydrogen transportation and storage infrastructure.
- This is a key component of the Alberta Innovates' Hydrogen Centre of Excellence, a $50 million initiative to accelerate hydrogen sector development in Alberta.
Federal funding announced today is provided through the Regional Innovation Ecosystems program, administered by PrairiesCan in the Prairie Provinces. Through this program, PrairiesCan makes targeted investments to support businesses in priority sectors to innovate, grow and compete globally.
