APRIL 24, 2023 [EDMONTON METROPOLITAN REGION]— Nine municipalities in the Edmonton region will officially recognize April 24-28, 2023 as Hydrogen Week. These announcements coincide with the second annual Canadian Hydrogen Convention, which is expected to bring up to 8,000 attendees from at least 30 countries to the Edmonton Convention Centre from April 25-27. The proclamation of Hydrogen Week highlights the multi-billion-dollar opportunity that hydrogen presents for Alberta and Canada, along with the leadership role the Edmonton region has taken in accelerating the growth of this sector.
An integral part of global decarbonization efforts, hydrogen is an energy-rich fuel that can be produced with low greenhouse gas emissions for use in a vast range of applications, from heavy-duty transportation to building heating and industrial applications. Canada’s federal Hydrogen Strategy estimates that hydrogen “has the potential to deliver up to 30% of our end-use energy by 2050,” driving a $50 billion domestic sector and a global market that “could reach over $11 trillion.”
The Edmonton region has the experience, infrastructure, and resources needed to produce low-cost, low-carbon hydrogen at a global scale. Alberta already produces more hydrogen than anywhere else in Canada, and has been doing so for decades. As delegates from across the country and around the world gather for the Canadian Hydrogen Convention, Hydrogen Week provides a chance to showcase the groundbreaking work that is already underway in the region.
These projects include the $1.6 billion Air Products hydrogen plant, the AMTA’s Commercial Hydrogen Vehicle Demonstration project, and the Alberta Zero-Emission Hydrogen Transit (AZEHT) project bringing hydrogen fuel cell electric buses to Edmonton and Strathcona County, along with more than a dozen other initiatives aimed at developing all aspects of the hydrogen value chain. As the momentum around hydrogen continues to grow, it is becoming increasingly clear that the Edmonton region is leading the way to Canada’s net-zero future.
The global race to seize this opportunity is on. By announcing Hydrogen Week, these municipalities are telling the world that the Edmonton region is ready to lead in the low-carbon hydrogen economy.
The municipalities taking part in this proclamation are, in alphabetical order, Beaumont, City of Leduc, Devon, Edmonton, Fort Saskatchewan, Morinville, St. Albert, Stony Plain, and Sturgeon County.
“Hydrogen represents an incredible opportunity for Beaumont, the Edmonton Metropolitan Region, and our province. Energy is Alberta’s strength. We are well-positioned with the experience, infrastructure, know-how, and resourcefulness to be global leaders in clean energy for the future.”
— Mayor Bill Daneluik, Beaumont
“The City of Leduc is thrilled to be working together, across the region, to plan for the future of our communities in the hydrogen industry. We are committed to reducing our carbon emissions by seeking innovative approaches to energy that will sustain us, the environment, and the future generations to come.”
— Mayor Bob Young, City of Leduc
“We are excited to be part of Hydrogen Week and support Edmonton Global as they work to build hydrogen value chain opportunities in our region. Hydrogen will play a major role in our future and we will be keeping a keen eye on how this opportunity can support our economic goals here in Devon.”
— Mayor Jeff Craddock, Devon
“It’s exciting to join forces with our regional partners as part of Hydrogen Week to showcase the Edmonton Region as Canada’s Hydrogen Hub. We are committed to working together to position our region as a global leader in hydrogen technology and innovation, moving towards a prosperous green economy of the future.”
— Mayor Amarjeet Sohi, Edmonton
“We recognize Hydrogen Week in our community as we see the value in pursuing this resource and encouraging growth in this important industry.”
— Mayor Gale Katchur, Fort Saskatchewan
“As the Edmonton Metropolitan Region is a national leader in clean energy and has the experience, infrastructure, and resources to produce low-cost, low-carbon hydrogen at a global scale, we are proud to work with our member communities to move this initiative forward to benefit not only our region but our province.”
— Mayor Simon Boersma, Morinville
“Alberta, and the Edmonton region in particular, can provide world-class expertise in supplying the world with clean and affordable hydrogen. Hydrogen Week, and the Canadian Hydrogen Convention, are great ways to shine a spotlight on the untapped potential of our region.”
— Mayor Cathy Heron, St. Albert
“This is a great opportunity to learn more about Alberta’s contributions to helping Canada become net zero. The rapid development of the hydrogen industry in our province is a driving force for economic prosperity in the future.”
— Mayor William Choy, Stony Plain
“The Edmonton region continues to lead in the hydrogen economy and I am pleased that we are once again hosting guests from around the world as part of the Canadian Hydrogen Convention to showcase a hot-bed of innovation. Hydrogen incorporating carbon capture and storage presents a truly watershed moment for Alberta and this is why I was proud to proclaim April 24 to 28 as Hydrogen Week in Sturgeon County.”
— Mayor Alanna Hnatiw, Sturgeon County, Edmonton Region Hydrogen HUB Chair
Not attending the Canadian Hydrogen Convention this year?
Edmonton Global is back at North America’s largest hydrogen convention, the Canadian Hydrogen Convention, where we’ll be broadcasting live from The Edmonton Global Stage inside the Edmonton Region Hydrogen HUB pavilion. All day, April 25 and 26, we’ll be talking with experts, leaders, and innovators from across Canada’s entire hydrogen value chain as we unpack the second-annual Canadian Hydrogen Convention and all the moving parts driving Canada’s hydrogen transition.
Follow the links below to receive notifications for Day 1 and Day 2 of the program. We’ll let you know when it’s starting!
Day 1 Livestream
Day 2 Livestream
The Edmonton Region Hydrogen HUB is an alliance of government, Indigenous, academic, and economic development leaders working together to kickstart the Edmonton Region’s hydrogen economy and ensure long-term economic competitiveness as the world shifts towards a low-carbon future.
The purpose of Edmonton Global is to radically transform and grow the economy of the Edmonton Metropolitan Region. We are a not-for-profit corporation founded by 14 municipalities that make up the Edmonton Metropolitan Region. Our focus is attracting foreign investment, helping regional businesses export with the world, enhancing our region’s global competitiveness, and bringing our region together with a unified voice to attract the attention and interest of investors the world over.
Please contact Sherri Bouslama, Manager, Brand Strategy & Communications at Edmonton Global, with any media inquiries: 1-780-996-1524, sbouslama@edmontonglobal.ca
For inquiries about the Edmonton Region Hydrogen HUB, please contact the HUB’s communications lead, Peter Hemminger: communications@erh2.ca
