BC Energy Minster says PG has all the tools to become a key hydrogen hub

Energy and Mines Minister Josie Osborne believes the Prince George-area has positioned itself well to become Central BC’s hydrogen hub.

Construction continues to progress on Hydra Energy’s re-fuelling station for heavy-duty trucks on Sintich Road, with a completion date set in 2024 – it will be the world’s largest hydrogen refueling station once operational.

It will produce 3,250 kilograms of hydrogen every day and can refuel up to 24 Hydra-converted trucks each hour.

In March of this year, Hydra Energy came to terms with eight new commercial truck fleets in the region.

This equates to 82 Class 8 trucks that will be retrofitted using hydrogen-diesel and co-combustion conversation technology.

In October of 2021, Hydra Energy delivered its first hydrogen-converted semi-truck in Prince George to Lodgewood Enterprises.

It was the first of 12 trucks being supplied to Lodgewood, and President Arlene Gagne said they’re working to supply their fleet.

In an interview with Vista Radio, Osborne stated industries like heavy-duty trucking are trying to get ahead of the curve in reducing their carbon footprint.

“Hydrogen has that particular niche I think here in British Columbia in those harder-to-decarbonize industries like heavy-duty trucking. We are seeing what Hydra Energy is doing in Prince George, which is really exciting because it will be used for to decarbonize the heavy-duty transportation sector.”

“Hydrogen is a source of energy that can be used with a producing Greenhouse gas emissions. There is no carbon in hydrogen so it doesn’t produce carbon dioxide which of course is a big contributor to global warming. We know that hydrogen as a source of green energy is a way that we can work here domestically in British Columbia but also with jurisdictions abroad to really decarbonize this energy system.”

Osborne added major industrial projects like this one, help keep the province’s economy afloat.

“What takes place in northern BC really helps fund all of our hospitals, our schools, and our bridges and roads across the province. It’s a really important part of BC’s economy.”

Furthermore, Osborne is of the mind Prince George is in an enviable position when it comes to the development of hydrogen.

“It is part of that northern corridor and a vision to create a Western Canadian corridor that Hydra Energy is a big part of. It really makes a lot of sense and that is why BC has identified Prince George as an ideal location for a regional hydrogen hub.”

“With all of the transportation sector moving through Prince George on the way to the Port of Prince Rupert, which is a real gateway to Asia, it’s in a perfect location for the development of this industry.”

In addition, the McLeod Lake Indian Band is exploring a five-billion dollar hydrogen project, just north of the city.

If approved, it will be hosted at the Tse’khene Energy Transition Hub, which is located on the band’s Kerry Lake East Indian Reserve.

The anticipated cost of the project would make it one of the largest on-reserve energy projects in Canada.

Osborne recently returned from a trade mission in Japan and South Korea that was led by Premier David Eby. During the trip, she noted countries like Japan, who are also serious about reducing their footprint are looking to hydrogen as a potential solution.

“Both Japan and South Korea are highly dependent on importing energy. Much of that comes in the form of coal and liquid natural gas. But, they have big decarbonization objectives and big climate ambitions just like British Columbia does and they are looking around the world to see where they can partner and invest in hydrogen.”

In March, the City of Prince George received $150,000 from the province to become Central BC’s hydrogen hub.