A prosperous sustainable future through Atlantic Canada’s green hydrogen projects

In the quest for a sustainable future, innovative solutions are emerging to address the pressing challenges of climate change and energy transition. Among these, green hydrogen is recognized as one of the many solutions which will be required to decarbonize the economy everywhere in the world.  

Green hydrogen is a clean fuel extracted through a process called electrolysis, which involves splitting water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen using renewable electricity, like wind and solar. Unlike conventional hydrogen production methods that rely on fossil fuels, green hydrogen production emits no greenhouse gases, making it a clean and sustainable energy carrier. This versatility makes it especially well-suited for large emissions sector such as long-distance commercial transportation and shipping, agriculture and green fertilizer production, as well as high-heat industries such as metal manufacturing.  

Leveraging green hydrogen’s power 

Some of the most advanced and innovative projects in this space can be found in Atlantic Canada, where close to a dozen investments have been announced and whose plants will be up and running by 2030. By leveraging the region’s abundant wind, it is emerging as a hub for green hydrogen production, driving down emissions and decarbonizing Canada.  

The impact of this sustainable transition presents benefits for generations to come, particularly so for rural areas, which are seeing new economic opportunities emerge from these endeavors. In fact, green hydrogen is part of Canada’s clean energy sector, which employed nearly half-a-million people as of 2021, and is expected to grow nearly 50% by 2030. 

Additionally, green hydrogen enhances energy security by diversifying the energy mix. As Canada strives to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and transitions towards renewable energy sources, hydrogen emerges as a key enabler of this transition.  

Green hydrogen projects: where economic and sustainable impact meet 

One of the hallmark companies in this innovative sector is  EverWind Fuels. With their initial project situated at Point Tupper, off the coast of Nova Scotia, it is building a wind farm and solar photovoltaic (PV) system to harness the region's abundant wind resources for green hydrogen and ammonia production, supported by its indigenous equity partners Membertou, Paqtnkek and Potlotek.  

The first phase of the project should be up and running by 2026. Upon completion, EverWind Fuels will produce green hydrogen and ammonia at scale to decarbonize Canadian and global markets. Most impressively, it’s the only project in the Western Hemisphere to have the required environmental assessment approvals and Front-End Engineering and Design (FEED) studies for its first phase completed. Building on the success of its first phase in Nova Scotia, EverWind has plans for an addition site in Newfoundland where it was awarded significant crown land for a large-scale project, as well as expansion plans in Nova Scotia and through offshore wind.

“The world is at a pivotal moment where hydrogen can be the key to reaching net-zero emissions globally. Current investments in Atlantic Canada are already demonstrating significant sustainability and economic benefits, and we’ve only just begun to unlock the vast opportunities and potential in this sector. At Invest in Canada, we’re delighted to help facilitate global companies’ expansion in this sector, bringing innovative and transformational projects for communities.” - Laurel Broten, CEO of Invest in Canada

Also located in Nova Scotia, Bear Head Energy is another company developing a large-scale green hydrogen and ammonia production facility in Point Tupper. In a significant milestone achieved in April 2023, Bear Head Energy received environmental assessment approval, making it one of the few sites in North America that is fully permitted and ready for construction. With their infrastructure and 1,000 MW of wind energy in the early stages of development, Bear Head anticipates the first green hydrogen and ammonia deliveries in 2028. 

In Newfoundland and Labrador, World Energy GH2’s Project Nujio'qonik facility in Stephenville has also received environmental approval. The project would see Canada exporting a fuel that would deliver 1.2M tonnes of green ammonia and 250,000 tonnes of green hydrogen annually - only releasing water vapour when burned!
 

Image rendering of what the World Energy GH2’s plant site will look like at the Port of Stephenville, in Newfoundland and Labrador.
 

Direct benefits for coastal and rural communities 

The deployment of green hydrogen infrastructure requires significant investment but also drives economic growth and creates employment opportunities in construction, manufacturing and engineering sectors. As stated in Deloitte’s Economic Impact Assesment, over the next three years, EverWind Fuels' phase 1 and 2 are expected to create close to 3,000 permanent direct and indirect jobs as well as approximately 15,000 construction and support jobs for Nova Scotia. 

Moreover, as green hydrogen gains traction as a clean fuel alternative, it opens new markets and export opportunities, bolstering Canada's economic competitiveness on the global stage. An example of this is the Canada-Germany Hydrogen Export Agreement, which simultaneously supports Canada’s export activities and global decarbonization goals. 

Lastly, green hydrogen projects can catalyze innovation and research partnerships, driving technology advancements and knowledge exchange. Collaborative efforts between government, industry and academia can spur the development of cutting-edge hydrogen technologies. In fact, Dalhousie University and local natural gas distributor, Eastward Energy, have announced in February 2024 that they are conducting research to explore more hydrogen applications and help regulatory bodies understand blending rations of natural gas and hydrogen. 

Harnessing Atlantic Canada renewable resources 

The emergence of green hydrogen projects in Atlantic Canada represents a paradigm shift in energy production and consumption. By harnessing the region's renewable energy resources, green hydrogen offers a sustainable pathway towards decarbonization while unlocking economic opportunities and fostering regional prosperity.  

Beyond environmental considerations, green hydrogen projects offer substantial economic benefits to local and Indigenous communities: stimulating job creation, attracting investments, benefiting supply chains and local companies, as well as fostering regional development. 

Through concerted efforts and strategic partnerships, Atlantic Canada is capitalizing on its prime location to become a stewart of environmental transformation while also driving social and economic change. It is paving the way towards a brighter and more sustainable future for our country and its generations to come. 

This article is part of a Invest in Canada series on green hydrogen, with more to come over the next year. In the meantime, you can find more information on the sector here.