The Alberta government has published its roadmap to reach the goal of becoming a world leader in hydrogen exports by the end of the decade.
Prime Minister Jason Kenney says Alberta is well positioned with its existing energy infrastructure to become a global supplier of choice for hydrogen.
And he calls it a “game changer” in the fight against climate change, since hydrogen does not emit greenhouse gases when burned.
He says the global hydrogen market is expected to be worth up to $ 2.5 trillion in the next 30 years.
The plan calls for catching up on clean hydrogen technologies in the short term before moving on to long-term growth and commercialization.
Alberta is already Canada’s largest hydrogen producer at 2.4 million tons per year.
READ MORE: Suncor and Atco working together on a potential hydrogen project near Edmonton
Dale Nally, the associate minister for natural gas and electricity, compares the hydrogen revolution to the great energy boom caused by the oil sands.
“Hydrogen can absolutely change the rules of the game for our province on many levels,” Nally said at a news conference on Friday.
“We have the natural advantages to produce hydrogen that is clean and affordable.”
Along with export potential, the report identifies four leading national markets for clean hydrogen, which is hydrogen produced with minimal greenhouse gas emissions.
They include domestic and commercial heating, power generation, transportation, and hydrogen for industrial use.
Opposition critic of the NDP Kathleen Ganley says the United Conservative government’s plan is based on proposals from the previous NDP government, but lacks concrete goals, objectives and details.
“This strategy lacks the detail and consideration that would be required to really attract investment,” he said.
“It sets goals, but it doesn’t really provide a path to achieve those goals.
“It does not even compromise how much investment they are willing to contribute at the provincial level.”
The government said the plan will be reviewed in 2025.
Watch below: Some Global News videos on hydrogen.
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Reference-globalnews.ca