Canadian companies explore global clean energy opportunities

The production and supply of Canadian hydrogen to Germany and other key European allies was front and centre in talks between Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson (left) and Germany’s vice chancellor Robert Habeck. supplied

New federal government incentives and tax measures support clean electricity, clean hydrogen and critical minerals

The drive towards a net-zero global economy coupled with concern over energy security in Europe and elsewhere following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has created a “generational economic opportunity” for Canada to become a clean energy and technology supplier of choice to the world, according to Natural Resources Canada (NRC).

Canadian clean energy technology companies are actively exploring those opportunities while continuing to help Canada move steadily towards its own emissions reduction targets.

Earlier this year, representatives of more than 15 Canadian companies, organizations and Indigenous communities joined Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson on a trade mission to Germany where he attended the Energy Transition Dialogue in Berlin.

The production and supply of Canadian hydrogen to Germany and other key European allies was front and centre in talks between Mr. Wilkinson and Germany’s vice chancellor Robert Habeck.

NRC says “concrete progress” is being made within the private sector to deliver clean hydrogen to Europe.

For example, EverWind Fuels Company is building a one million tonnes per annum green ammonia facility on the east coast of Nova Scotia. Permits have been issued for the first phase, which is set to produce and export approximately 200,000 tonnes per annum starting in 2025.

EverWind converts renewable power first into green hydrogen and then into green ammonia, which is a form that can be transported around the world and used as a clean source of energy.

Also in Nova Scotia, Bear Head Energy is advancing through the regulatory process to build a green hydrogen and ammonia production, storage and loading facility. When completed, the facility will be capable of producing two million tonnes per annum of anhydrous ammonia, which will be shipped to world markets.

In Newfoundland and Labrador, World Energy is planning to use wind energy to produce 250,000 tonnes of clean hydrogen annually.

Investments announced in this year’s federal budget include incentives and tax measures to support clean electricity, clean hydrogen and critical minerals, which EverWind CEO Trent Vichie described as a move that will help Canadian clean energy projects secure the coveted first-mover advantage in a global industry that is fiercely competitive.

“The global green energy hubs of tomorrow are being determined today. Off-takers, investors and equipment suppliers are looking at jurisdictions and projects around the world, and Budget 2023 sends a clear signal that they should choose Canadian projects,” he said.

Mark Plamondon, Executive Director of Alberta’s Industrial Heartland Association, a collaboration between five municipalities in Alberta, says hydrogen supports emissions reduction and offers an opportunity to decarbonize sectors that are difficult to electrify.

“Hydrogen’s potential to accelerate Canada’s energy evolution is real, and it’s growing, and Alberta’s Industrial Heartland is a global leader in the production of low-cost, low-carbon hydrogen,” he says.

Mr. Plamondon notes that last November, the provincial and federal governments announced $476-million to support Air Products’ planned $1.6-billion blue hydrogen facility in Edmonton.

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