Today, Air Products (NYSE:APD), a world leader in hydrogen production, announced a multi-billion dollar plan to build a landmark, net-zero hydrogen energy complex in Edmonton. This announcement is a major leap forward in establishing the Edmonton Region asthe centre of western Canada’s hydrogen economy. The planned facility will support Air Products in their goal to operate the most competitive and lowest-carbon-intensity hydrogen network in the world.
Canada’s clean energy diversification strategy and regulatory framework make clear that hydrogen is being prioritized as a key enabler for carbon neutrality by 2050. Aligned with that vision, Air Products already began work in 2018 on the core of this world-scale energy complex in Edmonton. This transformative $1.3 billion (CAD) net-zero hydrogen production and liquefaction facility is expected to be operational in 2024 and is consistent with Air Products’ growth strategy of executing global megaprojects that enable a transition to a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.
The project relies on an innovative combination of well-established technologies to jump-start an ambitious transition to carbon neutrality. It will take advantage of the Edmonton Region’s abundant and low-cost natural resources, extensive infrastructure, highly skilled workforce, and innovative spirit and will be a model for other jurisdictions around the globe.
“We sincerely appreciate the support of the Government of Canada, the Government of Alberta, Invest Alberta, the Mayor of Edmonton and Edmonton Global. We are proud to expand our presence in this dynamic Region, where we have found a vision for decarbonization that mirrors our core values”, said Seifi Ghasemi, Air Products Chairman, President and CEO. “Sustainability is our pathway to growth and central to Air Products’ business every day around the world. By being a first mover and investing in this innovative landmark project, we are paving the way for hydrogen from Edmonton to meet industrial and transportation needs throughout western Canada. Our highly integrated project will be a model for net-zero atmospheric gas, hydrogen and power production consistent with our announced growth platforms.”
“As the global leader in hydrogen production, Air Products is focused on providing competitive solutions for our customers. The combination of multiple facilities, state of the art technologies, our existing 55-kilometer Alberta Heartland Hydrogen pipeline, our project execution expertise, and our record of reliable operations will set the benchmark for competitive hydrogen to support growth in Alberta for many years to come,” said Dr. Samir J. Serhan, Air Products, COO.
“Air Products has decades of hydrogen fueling experience around the world and we are excited and ready for the developing market in Canada. Our well established Edmonton team is proud of the outstanding safety and reliability record of our existing operations,” said Rachel Smith, Air Products Canada, Vice President. “We fully intend to earn that same reputation with our new facility construction and operations while also creating well-paying jobs in the Edmonton Region. By design, the new complex will utilize Alberta’s natural gas resources to produce net-zero hydrogen, reducing the environmental footprint of the refining sector and facilitating future growth in the hydrogen economy in Edmonton and the Alberta Industrial Heartland.” _
Hon. François-Philippe Champagne, Canadian Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, said, “As consumers and investors demand lower-emitting products, we will continue to support Canadians and businesses who are ambitious about seizing these opportunities, creating good jobs, and helping Canada achieve net-zero by 2050. We are always ready to roll up our sleeves with provincial, municipal, and business partners to reach these goals. Today’s Air Products announcement demonstrates that our government’s policies are attrqcting investments in Canada’s Energy sector and ensuring that Alberta’s worker and ingenuity play a key part in Canada’s recovery.”
Hon. Seamus O’Regan Jr., Minister of Natural Resources, said, “Hydrogen’s moment has come. It’s_the low-carbon fuel that gets us to net zero. This project will create thousands of jobs and use the skills and expertise of workers in Alberta to lead Canada to the forefront of the global hydrogen market. Working with Alberta and Air Products Canada, we are building a low-emissions energy future that leaves no one behind
Don Iveson, Mayor of Edmonton said, “This project is a key milestone for Edmonton’s low carbon future. It will harness the energy expertise of the Edmonton metro Region to produce liquid hydrogen that could be used to fuel city buses and other transportation applications across western Canada, and ultimately serve lucrative exports markets as well. The 2,500 construction jobs, substantial local tax revenue, and spin-off benefits for decades to come are also welcome in the COVID recovery context. Along with our neighbours in the Edmonton Region Hydrogen Hub, we’ve leaned into Northern Alberta’s competitive advantages to drive growth in the hydrogen economy. With that parallel focus on Regional prosperity and energy transition, the team at Edmonton Global have engaged closely with Air Products for many months, leading to today’s win for our community.”
David Knight Legg, CEO of Invest Alberta Corporation, said, “The future of net-zero is in the hands of engineers, entrpreneurs, investors, and companies like Air Products. We’re proud to welcome Air Products’ expansion of its Alberta operations and look forward to working with Seifi’s globally renowned team as they create jobs, investment and innovative solutions for net-zero hydrogen production and carbon capture and storage in Alberta.”
“This investment by Air Products demonstrates the potential that hydrogen holds to transform our Regional economy,” said Malcolm Bruce, CEO of Edmonton Global. “We’re thrilled to see Air Products build on the investments they’ve already made in our Region. This expansion, which will be the world’s largest net-zero hydrogen complex, is a clear signal to the investment community that Air Products is certain of the tremendous opportunity that exists to leverage the expertise, resources and infrastructure that already exist here. Our Region is at the centre of Canada’s and the world’s hydrogen economy and we’re aggressively driving for more.”
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