HOPA, Atura Power sign MOU for green hydrogen supply
The Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority (HOPA) has entered a memorandum of understanding with Atura Power, a subsidiary of Ontario Power Generation, to provide the port authority with green hydrogen.
As one of 17 Canadian port authorities and the largest on the Great Lakes, HOPA operates facilities in Hamilton, Oshawa and Niagara. HOPA is investigating the use of green hydrogen from Atura Power to decarbonize both its operations and that of its customers. The purchase of hydrogen from Atura Power would support these goals by providing a reliable and sustainable source of fuel across the port network.
“HOPA Ports is committed to being a leader in sustainability and reducing our environmental impact,” says Ian Hamilton, President and Chief Executive Officer of HOPA Ports. “We are eager to explore the potential of using hydrogen to power our operations and are proud to support the growth of renewable energy in Ontario.”
The hydrogen will be produced at the Niagara Hydrogen Centre on the Niagara River.
When complete, the facility will be Ontario’s largest green hydrogen facility, using a 20-megawatt electrolyser system to support the development of Ontario’s hydrogen economy. It is expected to be operational in 2024.
“Atura Power is uniquely positioned to lead low-carbon hydrogen production and help decarbonize Ontario’s broader economy,” says Shelley Babin, President and Chief Executive Officer of Atura Power. “We look forward to working with partners like the Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority, who are leading the marine industry towards environmental excellence.”
Low-carbon hydrogen will be an important tool in the fight against climate change. It can be used as a low-carbon fuel substitute for feedstock in high-emitting industrial processes, and it can be blended with natural gas to reduce carbon emissions.
Atura Power was selected by the provincial government to play a leadership role in establishing the supply of low-carbon hydrogen in Ontario to help the province move towards a net-zero future.
The organization announced last April that it had chosen Niagara for the site of its first large-scale hydrogen production facility in Ontario.
Atura also intends to develop green-hydrogen facilities in Windsor and Nanticoke.