SARNIA, ON: Today, the Ontario government has released its Low-Carbon Hydrogen Strategy to accelerate the development of the low-carbon hydrogen economy in the
province that will create jobs and reduce emissions. The strategy seeks to leverage the
Province’s world class talent and clean energy advantage to position Ontario as a world
leader in hydrogen, while clearing path and laying the groundwork to support the private
sector to take the lead in growing the low-carbon hydrogen economy. Within the
strategy, the Sarnia-Lambton area is highlighted as having taken steps to champion
itself as a hydrogen hub, being recognized as a region to advance low-carbon hydrogen
and critical to Ontario’s low-carbon hydrogen future.
Through efforts by the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership and in coordination with
an alliance of twenty local stakeholders representing industry, research, and economic
development leaders, the Sarnia-Lambton area has been branded as Ontario’s Hydrogen Hub. The vision of Ontario’s Hydrogen Hub is to leverage the strong local
hydrogen infrastructure as a catalyst to position the Sarnia-Lambton area to become
home to the low carbon hydrogen sector for Ontario and beyond.
“With the release of Ontario’s Low-Carbon Hydrogen Strategy we expect a burst of
activity around hydrogen adoption in the Province,” said partnership interim-CEO Judith
Morris. “The Sarnia-Lambton area, as Ontario’s Hydrogen Hub, is well positioned to
develop a self-sustaining low-carbon hydrogen economy that would create local jobs,
attract investment and reduce GHG emissions. The area has every opportunity to be
Ontario’s leader in hydrogen production, demand, research, and associated
investment.”
As part of the strategy, the Sarnia-Lambton area is highlighted for opportunities
associated with local refineries and chemical production transformation, gaseous fuel
storage and underground caverns for subsurface hydrogen storage. As the local
chemical sector continues to focus on environmental sustainability, chemical
manufacturers are investing in technologies that contribute to waste and carbon
emission reductions, as well as the evolving circular economy. Additionally, existing
local ammonia production capabilities are highlighted as a key opportunity for
decarbonization through low-carbon hydrogen.
Local geological assets are of critical importance to Ontario’s strategy. Saline aquifers,
such as those existing across Sarnia-Lambton are identified as having significant
carbon dioxide storage potential, while an inventory of existing salt caverns represent a
safe and effective solution to the anticipated hydrogen storage needs. Additionally,
existing natural gas storage capabilities associated with Enbridge Gas’ Dawn Hub,
North America’s second largest natural gas hub, may be vital to the storage and
distribution of natural gas for the production of hydrogen, or hydrogen itself.
A noteworthy inclusion in the strategy, Atura Power has identified four strategic
locations across the province where low-carbon hydrogen demand can be matched by
electrolysis produced hydrogen that leverages existing electricity infrastructure and
Ontario’s clean electricity grid, including Sarnia-Lambton as one of those areas. Coined
the Lambton Energy Centre, the proposed project would be located at the former
Ontario Power Generation Lambton Generating Station. Atura Power is investigating the
opportunity to produce large-scale low-carbon hydrogen at this site and serve heavy
industry in the Sarnia-Lambton area in support of a local hydrogen hub. A feasibility
study application for this site has been submitted to the federal government for funding
and, pending award, will commence in summer 2022.
“The Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership is pleased to support the Province’s
strategy, as it aligns with the low-carbon diversification, expansion, and innovation
efforts of local stakeholders and industry”, said Morris. “The drive to net-zero emissions
is an effort that creates opportunities nationally, provincially, and most importantly,
locally. With the low-carbon hydrogen strategy suggesting it could support up to
100,000 jobs and greenhouse gas emissions reductions of 50 megatonnes per year by
2050, the Sarnia-Lambton area can be, and will be, part of the solution and we look
forward to working with the Province to capitalize on this important shift towards
sustainability.”
Earlier this year, the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership initiated a project to
develop a low-carbon hydrogen strategy for the Ontario’s Hydrogen Hub. Supported by
Global Affairs Canada’s CanExport Community Investments program, the low-carbon
hydrogen strategy will guide efforts by the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership and
partners in the Ontario’s Hydrogen Hub by providing the framework and roadmap for
industry attraction, while supporting the long-term success of the Sarnia-Lambton area
in the low-carbon economy. This project is on-going and will provide an opportunity for
the region to be aligned with Ontario’s Low-Carbon Hydrogen Strategy and Canada’s
Hydrogen Strategy that was released last year.
For more information on Ontario’s Hydrogen Hub, please contact Matthew Slotwinski
(matthew@sarnialambton.on.ca) or Shauna Carr (shauna@sarnialambton.on.ca) at the
Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership.
ABOUT Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership
The Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership (SLEP) is the lead economic development
agency for the Sarnia-Lambton area. Funded by the County of Lambton, we have a
focus on promoting the distinct advantages that Sarnia-Lambton proudly offers
companies and residents. By coordinating community-based economic development
initiatives and working to maintain a commercially attractive environment, we foster new
business creation, help ensure that established firms remain and grow here, and work
to attract growing businesses to the Sarnia-Lambton area. Visit sarnialambton.on.ca to
learn more.
Media Contact
Matthew Slotwinski
Senior Economic Development Officer
Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership
519-332-1820
matthew@sarnialambton.on.ca