Natural Resources Minister Seamus O'Regan responds to a question during Question Period in the House of Commons in Ottawa on February 17, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

By Canadian Press

hubs include edmonton

Federal plan to increase hydrogen use focuses on regional hubs

Dec 16, 2020 | 9:20 PM

The federal government has announced a plan to increase the use of hydrogen as a low-carbon fuel to help meet its climate targets.

Natural Resources Minister Seamus O’Regan says the clean-burning fuel could provide up to 30 per cent of Canada’s energy needs by 2050.

He says it could be an industry worth $50 billion and could provide 350,000 jobs.

The plan proposes that over the next five years several regional hubs will be set up across the country in areas where hydrogen fits local needs or expertise in the fuel already exists.

The hubs are to include the Edmonton region, which has abundant access to hydrogen feedstocks and carbon storage facilities.

First step

Red Deer city council approves rezoning for Project Nexus

13h ago

Effective Summer 2026

Jay Adamson named Assistant Superintendent of People Services for Wolf Creek Public Schools

17h ago

Thursday and Friday

Parts of central Alberta under snowfall warning

18h ago

The plan also proposes hubs in ports such as Vancouver and at high-traffic corridors such as Windsor-Detroit, where hydrogen could meet fuel demands for heavy equipment and transport.

The strategy is to be funded by $1.5 billion announced last week as part of the government’s climate change strategy.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 16, 2020.