May 27, 2024

Hundreds of new jobs in the clean economy will soon emerge in British Columbia as the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) backs a pioneering project aimed at expanding hydrogen production and establishing a province-wide refueling network.

BCTA member, HTEC has launched its H2 Gateway project, which aims to cut emissions in the transportation sector. The project includes the construction and operation of up to 20 hydrogen refueling stations, 18 of which will be in BC, to facilitate the use of fuel-cell vehicles and promote greener transportation solutions. These stations will be supported by three new electrolyzers in Burnaby, Nanaimo, and Prince George, as well as a new facility in North Vancouver capable of liquefying 15 tonnes of byproduct hydrogen daily.

The H2 Gateway project is projected to create over 280 full-time jobs to build, operate, and support the hydrogen infrastructure. It will also foster the development of regional hydrogen hubs across the province, where production and use are co-located to reduce costs and maximize benefits for local economies. Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles, which can travel long distances with relatively short refueling times, will benefit significantly from this network. Notably, 14 of the 20 new stations will have the capacity to refuel up to 300 heavy-duty vehicles daily. It is estimated that the H2 Gateway could reduce transportation sector emissions by approximately 133,000 tonnes annually.

The total cost of the H2 Gateway projects, with contributions from all partners, is estimated to be around $900 million. The Province is supporting the H2 Gateway project through B.C.’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS). Under four LCFS Initiative Agreements valued at up to $133 million, HTEC will construct hydrogen fueling stations in key communities and green-hydrogen production facilities in Burnaby, along with byproduct hydrogen production in North Vancouver.

The Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) has announced a $337-million loan to expedite and expand HTEC’s operations through the implementation of H2 Gateway. This financing will help accelerate the adoption of hydrogen technology and mitigate uncertainties in the rate and pace of hydrogen adoption, which have historically hindered private investment in sustainable fuel production and infrastructure.

Pictures courtesy of Canadian Infrastructure Bank*

For More Information:

To learn more about HTEC, visit here.

Visit Canada Infrastructure Bank to see the full press release.

To learn more about BC’s Hydrogen Strategy, visit here.