HTEC has opened a new hydrogen production facility in Burnaby, marking the commissioning of British Columbia’s first commercial-scale clean hydrogen electrolyzer. The equipment is part of the Burnaby Clean Hydrogen Production Facility and produces up to one tonne of hydrogen per day via electrolysis, complemented by a fully operational liquid hydrogen gasification system. Together, the systems enable a total daily output of 1.8 tonnes.
A facility to secure regional supply
Strategically located in the Metro Vancouver area, the facility is designed to provide a stable local supply for HTEC’s refuelling station network and fleet customers. The system’s built-in redundancy ensures consistent supply, targeting industrial applications and heavy-duty mobility, particularly in freight transport.
The electrolyzer is powered by BC Hydro’s predominantly renewable hydroelectric grid. According to the technical data provided, the hydrogen produced has a carbon intensity of less than 18 grams of CO₂ equivalent per megajoule, representing a reduction of approximately 90% in emissions compared to fossil fuels when used in fuel cell electric vehicles.
Institutional coordination and financial backing
The project received funding and support from the Canada Infrastructure Bank, PacifiCan, the National Research Council of Canada, the British Columbia Ministry of Energy and Climate Solutions, and BC Hydro. This public-private partnership enabled the development of the infrastructure in line with the region’s goals for alternative energy supply.
The site is part of HTEC’s H2 Gateway strategy, a programme designed to develop a hydrogen infrastructure network across British Columbia. The commissioning of this facility represents a further step in rolling out this strategy by adding fixed, local production capacity to meet growing hydrogen demand in Western Canada.
Regional deployment and industrial prospects
HTEC plans to expand its network by using this facility as a key hub. The hydrogen produced will also be directed to industrial customers seeking to integrate this energy vector into their low-carbon solutions, according to the company’s stated objectives.
The company sees this platform as a lever to accelerate industrial value creation around hydrogen and strengthen local supply chains. Short-term prospects include a gradual ramp-up of the site and integration with other planned regional infrastructure projects.
