Mayor sees potential for thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in investment

By Brian Konrad

Task force first step in creation of hydrogen hub

Task Force established to Advance Hydrogen Economy in Southeast Alberta

Aug 13, 2021 | 9:19 AM

MEDICINE HAT — Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe and is viewed by some, as one way to slow the impact on the planet from burning gasoline and diesel fuel.

A world wide effort towards net zero emissions is expected to push global demand for hydrogen, and a task force led by Invest Medicine Hat hopes to capitalize on that and establish Canada’s second industrial hydrogen hub in Southeastern Alberta.

According to the announcement released by Invest Medicine Hat and the City, the Task Force will “produce foundational tools that detail the opportunities available to advance a zero-emission fuel economy in Southeast Alberta.”

The task force is modelled after Alberta’s Industrial Heartland Hydrogen Task Force, whose research paved the way for the Edmonton Region Hydrogen HUB to be established.

In the release, Mayor Ted Clugston says “the City of Medicine Hat is proud to play a leadership role in establishing Canada’s second industrial hydrogen hub.”

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The mayor says “this foundational work will form the basis of a long-term, regional economic development strategy, with the goal of creating thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars of investment in the local economy.”

The managing director of Energy and Infrastructure for the City of Medicine Hat is also excited by the opportunity.

Brad Maynes says “Alberta’s abundant, low-cost feedstock, skilled labour, and extensive infrastructure can make us a leader in the production, use and export of zero-emission hydrogen.”

The Task Force is composed of Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan), City of Medicine Hat, City of Brooks, Palliser Economic Partnership, CF Industries, Methanex Corporation, APEX Regional Innovation Network (Alberta Innovates, Community Futures Entre-Corp and Medicine Hat College), RockPoint Gas Storage, Campus Energy, Envoy Energy and The Transition Accelerator.

Invest Medicine Hat says the Task Force’s foundational study is the first step toward identifying broader economic opportunities associated with growing large-scale clean hydrogen production and use.

The Task Force’s efforts will complement national and provincial hydrogen and natural gas strategies.