Steveville Helium Purification Facility near Princess, Alta. (Eli J. Ridder/CHAT News)

By Eli J. Ridder | @EliRidder

DEVELOPING

‘Ready to adapt and excel’: New helium plant signals strong economic diversification as Alberta aims for climate targets, officials say

Dec 16, 2023 | 4:11 PM

PRINCESS, AB – The unveiling of a groundbreaking net zero helium plant east of Brooks on Saturday is a big step forward for an underutilized industry that promises to play a large role in Alberta’s carbon-neutral future, according to its owners, expert observers and the provincial government.

The launch of Steveville Helium Purification Facility in Princess marks the first of what Royal Helium, an Alberta-based company, hopes is many such plants across a region rich with the resource.

Much of the helium is sent to the United States for use in the aerospace industry, officials said.

Premier Danielle Smith, fresh from her trip to a landmark UN climate conference, said the new installation was critical as the province, along with the rest of Canada, aims to hit climate targets.

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Danielle Smith says the helium plant is indicative of Alberta’s ability to diversify. (CHAT News)

“I was in the Middle East for a number of days talking about our pathway to get to carbon neutrality by 2050, and this is going to be a key part of that,” Smith said from the helium plant.

Smith said the plant shows the province is able to diversify its industries and economy.

“No matter how global energy development shakes up, Alberta is ready to adapt and excel and you are a fantastic example of that,” Smith added.

“It’s no secret that Alberta is a province of innovators and entrepreneurs, it’s one of the things that makes this province so great.”

Planning for the plant — which began in 2016 — was a long process, Andrew Davidson, president and CEO of Royal Helium, said.

But it was worth it to get a piece of the economic future of the province, he said.

“It’s such a unique industry and an excellent opportunity for Alberta, just to take part in the next-generation economy,” Davidson said.

While Canada only produces two per cent of its helium, research shows that it has the fifth-largest reserve of the critical mineral, according to Richard Dunn, the executive director of the Helium Developers Association of Canada.

“There’s less than 100 helium well that have been drilled for helium in western Canada, and so we’re just at the very early stages of figuring out this resource,” Dunn told CHAT News.

More details to follow.