Over the next three year, the fund will hope to encourage the uptake of hydrogen in Ontario’s clean energy system, including hydrogen electricity storage, marking a milestone in the implementation of the provinces low-carbon hydrogen strategy.
H2 View understands the fund projects are expected to support electricity supply, capacity, storage, and demand management, as well as supporting growth in Ontario’s hydrogen economy.
Projects across existing facilities, new hydrogen facilities, and research studies are set to be supported by the fund.
“When energy is reliable, affordable and clean our whole province wins,” said Todd Smith, Ontario Minister of Energy. “The Hydrogen Innovation Fund will help to lay the groundwork for hydrogen to contribute to our diverse energy supply, supporting game-changing investments in electric vehicle production, green steelmaking and clean manufacturing that will create good paying jobs, grow our economy and reduce emissions.”
With applications for the fund scheduled to open in April 2023, the fund will be administered by the Independent Electricity System Operator.
The province has been at the centre of focus for Atura Power, which has announced numerous projects for the region. In 2021 it said it exploring hydrogen production and regional hubs in Ontario to lay the groundwork for the hydrogen economy.
Read more: Atura Power to explore hydrogen production and regional hubs in Ontario
Additionally, Atura has been developing the Niagra Hydrogen Centre at Niagara Falls, which is set to integrate a 20MW electrolyser for green hydrogen production.
Read more: Niagara Falls to integrate a Hydrogen Centre with 20MW capacity
“As a fuel that can be produced and used with little to no greenhouse gas emissions, hydrogen has tremendous potential to help us meet our long-term economic and environmental goals,” said David Piccini, Ontario Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.
Piccini added, “Our government will continue to support innovation and investment in clean technologies that will position Ontario as the clean manufacturing and transportation hub of the future while leading Canada in greenhouse gas emission reductions.”
In November (2022), the Canadian Department of Finance announced plans to establish a tax credit for clean hydrogen production, based on the lifecycle carbon intensity, similar to the US Inflation Reduction Act.
Read more: Canada looks to introduce tax credits to support clean hydrogen investments
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