Ontario Investing in Hydrogen Project in Port Elgin, Goderich and Seaforth to Fuel Province’s Growing Economy
Carlsun Energy Solutions to receive $2,391,400 in funding to explore opportunities to use hydrogen as a clean alternative fuel
October 12, 2023
HURON-BRUCE – The Ontario government announced the first six projects that will receive funding through the new Hydrogen Innovation Fund, including 2 projects for Carlsun Energy Solutions, the first is in Port Elgin and the second is in Goderich and Seaforth. The successful projects represent over $7.5 million in funding that will help kickstart and develop opportunities for hydrogen to be integrated into Ontario’s clean electricity system.
Carlsun Energy Solutions is receiving $2,391,400 for two projects. The first project, in Port Elgin, will see Carlsun Energy build and operate a 500-kW hydrogen production, compression and storage facility to demonstrate the grid benefits of electrolysis while producing hydrogen fuel for Ontario’s first publicly accessible hydrogen fueling station.
The second project will see Carlsun Energy assess the feasibility of using off-peak electricity to produce hydrogen and ammonia for fertilizer production in Goderich and Seaforth.
“Our government is leveraging one of our province’s clear strengths – our world-class clean, reliable and affordable electricity system – to make us a leader in the growing hydrogen economy,” said Todd Smith, Minister of Energy. “Today’s investments, which are part of our larger $15 million Hydrogen Innovation Fund, will kickstart new opportunities for hydrogen to be used as a clean fuel, creating new jobs and driving down emissions at the same time.”
The Hydrogen Innovation Fund, administered by the Independent Electricity System Operator, includes projects across three streams that will provide real-world demonstrations of hydrogen production and consumption, as well as research and feasibility studies investigating the potential of hydrogen to be an important part of Ontario’s energy future.
“I am pleased that our government is working to accelerate Ontario’s low-carbon hydrogen economy with new funding that will leverage the energy infrastructure, talent and resources in Huron-Bruce and neighbouring communities,” said Lisa Thompson, MPP for Huron – Bruce. “I am confident Carlsun Energy Solutions will help drive job creation and economic growth across the region while supporting Ontario’s growing electricity needs.”
These investments build on Ontario’s clean energy advantage as the government makes progress on the Low-Carbon Hydrogen Strategy that laid out eight concrete actions to make Ontario a leader in the latest frontier of energy innovation – the hydrogen economy.
QUICK FACTS
- In February 2023, Ontario announced it would establish a Hydrogen Innovation Fund that will invest $15 million over the next three years to kickstart and develop opportunities for low-carbon hydrogen to be integrated into Ontario’s clean electricity system, including hydrogen storage.
- Hydrogen is a versatile fuel that can be used for vehicles and industrial processes. Hydrogen can also be blended into the existing natural gas distribution system while emitting little to no greenhouse gases or other pollution.
- By 2050, the hydrogen economy could create over 100,000 jobs across the province while reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 50 megatonnes per year – equivalent to removing 15 million cars off the road.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Sam McCormick
sam.mccormick@ontario.ca