Province testing private-sector interest in hydrogen fuelling network

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on January 27, 2023.

https://www.medicinehatnews.com@MedicineHatNews

The Government of Alberta is testing private sector interest in operating a hydrogen fuelling network and asking about potential uptake of the zero-emission fuel in the heavy transportation sector, it announced on Wednesday.

Municipalities, including Medicine Hat, have said they could help bolster the development of the hydrogen production sector by switching their vehicle fleets and transit buses to use the fuel.

This week the province launched a request for proposals to create fuelling network, and asked for heavy truck and fleet operators to outline their logistical needs for the network, as well as give estimates on their own operating and capital costs if hydrogen fuel was adopted.

“Hydrogen fuelling stations could present many advantages to the heavy-duty transportation sector such as rapid refuelling, longer travel distances and the ability to support heavy payloads,” said Transportation Minister Devin Dresden. “This paves the way for more jobs and economic growth in Alberta and across Canada.”

Last week, Ottawa announced $10 million in grants aimed at developing the sector in Alberta. That included $3 million to the Alberta Motor Transportation Association and the University of Alberta to study and set up pilot project fuel stations for heavy trucks in Edmonton and Calgary.

It also provides funding for fleet operators to evaluate and pilot the use of the fuel in their vehicles.