The company plans to establish 50MW of electrolysis capacity and to distribute the hydrogen within the Montreal-Quebec City corridor for use with its light commercial vehicles (LCV) as well as other hydrogen-fuelled vehicles and applications in the region.
First Hydrogen plans for its LCVs to be assembled in Shawinigan for distribution throughout North America, along with its hydrogen-as-a-service product offering. According to the company, the assembly factory is designed to boast a 25,000 vehicle per year capacity once at full capacity.
In October (2022), the company revealed its hydrogen fuel cell vans had been certified legal on British roads by the Vehicle Certification Authority, ahead of customer trials on public roads.
Read more: First Hydrogen’s fuel cell vans receive UK road certification
“We are seeing strong market support for our holistic product offering of zero-emission LCVs and green hydrogen,” said Balraj Mann, Chairman and CEO of First Hydrogen. “Customer pull combined with strong Quebec and Canadian policy support has convinced us that now is the time to move forward with this first project. Engineering studies are planned to commence in early 2023. Our announcement today coincides with the unveiling of our next-generation hydrogen fuel cell-powered light commercial vehicle in the coming weeks.”
The Canadian Government earlier this month (November 2022), revealed it was set to launch a consultation on how best to implement tax credits to support investments in clean hydrogen production.
Read more: Canada looks to introduce tax credits to support clean hydrogen investments
Rob Campbell, CEO of Energy for First Hydrogen, added, “Shawinigan, Quebec is a great place for First Hydrogen to plant the flag in North America. Quebec’s first hydroelectric company was established there in 1898 and Shawinigan has a strong history of energy and industry working together.
“The city and the region are very well positioned with its green energy resources, industrial community and growing green energy economy. It will be also very important to closely collaborate with the regional education network to create the required skills of tomorrow.”
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