B.C. Premier John Horgan in Victoria on March 30. Mr. Horgan has announced the creation of a new government office aimed at helping hydrogen projects and proposals.CHAD HIPOLITO/The Canadian Press
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.
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.
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.