Sask., Co-op look at hydrogen

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on May 17, 2022.

https://www.medicinehatnews.com@MedicineHatNews

The Saskatchewan government is throwing its support behind studying a private-sector carbon capture and hydrogen production hub in the Moose Jaw and Regina area, it was announced Monday.

Federated Co-op, Whitecap Resources and the province’s Energy and Resources Ministry will commission a study toward developing the sector near the capital city, minister Bronwyn Eyre said.

“We’re a world leader in CCUS and enhanced oil recovery, which have natural connections to blue hydrogen,” said Eyre. “We expect this report to accelerate the private sector’s interest in Saskatchewan’s emerging hydrogen economy.”

Whitecap Resources, an oil and gas exploration and production company, is involved, as is Co-op, which operates a major gas and diesel refinery in Regina and has already announced bio-fuel projects.

“The potential for a Hydrogen and CCUS Hub in Saskatchewan is exciting as it would create new opportunities for local industry right here,” said Federated Co-op’s CEO Heather Ryan.

The report will cost $150,000 to be paid by the three parties, and will be conducted by the Transition Accelerator.

That group is concluding a similar study for southeast Alberta launched by the City of Medicine Hat and several corporate partners, including CF Industries, Methanex and others.

Analysts believe clean-burning hydrogen as a fuel for utilities and transportation could be a key tool to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. “Blue hydrogen,” made from natural gas while capturing the resulting CO2, would be key to a large transition.

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