New B.C. hydrogen office aims to help investment

VANCOUVER - The British Columbia government is creating a new office to help streamline decisions on hydrogen projects and proposals.

Premier John Horgan says the BC Hydrogen Office will also help the province reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.

📺 Watch live: We're making an announcement related to hydrogen investment and development in BC.https://t.co/AqUQSzWHDz

— John Horgan (@jjhorgan) March 31, 2022

Ravi Kahlon, the minister of jobs, economic recovery and innovation, says development in the hydrogen sector will bring more economic investment to B.C.

The province says in a news release that there are 40 hydrogen projects proposed or under construction, representing $4.8 billion in investment.

As part of our #StrongerBC Economic Plan, we’re launching BC’s 1st Hydrogen Office👏🏾

This will enable us to rapidly expand hydrogen tech development and streamline projects, & help us meet BCs climate commitments 💪🏾@jjhorgan @BruceRalston @GeorgeHeyman https://t.co/O06Yjl4nqd

— Ravi Kahlon (@KahlonRav) March 31, 2022

The province did a study in 2019 that showed by 2050, B.C. could expect hydrogen to provide $2.5 billion to its annual gross domestic product and create 3,750 jobs.

Because of B.C.'s location, it said the province could capture a "significant portion" of the global hydrogen market, which is estimated to be worth more than $305 billion by 2050.

The province released its hydrogen strategy in 2021, which includes increasing the production of renewable hydrogen, establishing regional hydrogen hubs, and using medium and heavy-duty fuel-cell vehicles.