Building on Look West commitments to sustainably expand export capacity, new projects will help communities and businesses in northern B.C. understand the benefits of clean transportation technology and modernize the medium- and heavy-duty vehicles that support import and export activities.
“B.C. is Canada's gateway to Asia and home to a strong innovation sector, creating solutions for challenges here and globally," said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth. "Through our Look West strategy, these pilots leverage northern partnerships to modernize transportation, create clean-energy solutions and build good jobs. They demonstrate B.C.'s innovation excellence and our work to be Canada's economic engine.”
Government is investing $500,000 through the Integrated Marketplace platform delivered by Innovate BC to support the three pilot projects. Innovate BC will work with the City of Prince Rupert, the City of Prince George, the City of Kitimat and the Town of Smithers to explore how clean-energy solutions, such as renewable diesel and hydrogen, can best be put into practice to bolster B.C.’s transportation sector. The work will feature a variety of pilot projects spanning the corridor between Prince Rupert and Prince George, which is a vital passage for interprovincial and global trade.
“We are thrilled to work with the Province and our partners to support the development of northern B.C. as a regional clean-energy hub and serve as a key step in transforming our transportation sector toward future-ready, sustainable growth,” said Peter Cowan, president and CEO, Innovate BC. “With this investment, we are leveraging the Integrated Marketplace platform to create a pathway to embedding high-impact clean solutions to a vital component of B.C.’s economy, strengthening it for the future and creating new opportunities for our industries, businesses and communities.”
Demonstrating technology with community partners
- The City of Prince Rupert’s operations division will demonstrate medium- and heavy-duty zero- or low-emission vehicle technology and associated infrastructure.
- The City of Prince George’s public works division will demonstrate Tidewater Renewable’s renewable diesel product in a municipal fleet vehicle.
- In Prince Rupert, Smithers and Kitimat, hydrogen fuel enhancement modules will be installed by Empire Hydrogen on heavy-duty vehicles and equipment.
Generating interest in the Northern B.C. Clean Energy Corridor
The Northern B.C. Clean Energy Corridor Project will generate a greater understanding around technical, economic and regulatory feasibility, and track outcomes, including fuel savings, reduced emissions and technology reliability. Data from the pilot project will help fleet operators better understand the benefits of adopting zero- and low-emission fuels and technologies.
This work is part of the Province’s Look West plan for jobs and industry, which outlines B.C.’s vision to deliver jobs and opportunities for people by strengthening the workforce to grow a more independent economy that can stand on its own.
This includes delivering major projects quicker, diversifying markets and growing targeted sectors, such as technology, aerospace, marine, AI and Quantum, life sciences, agriculture and construction innovation.
Quotes:
Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions –
“Partnering with Innovate BC on the Northern B.C. Clean Energy Corridor Project is a huge step toward reducing emissions from medium- and heavy-duty transportation. By supporting clean technologies and made-in-B.C. renewable fuels projects, we are laying the groundwork for cleaner transportation, supporting local companies and further strengthening our economy.”
Tamara Davidson, MLA for North Coast-Haida Gwaii; Minister of Environment and Parks –
“As a northerner, I’m proud to see people in northern B.C. leading the way toward a cleaner, stronger future. These projects mean stronger transportation networks for all people in British Columbia and more opportunities for northern companies to grow and create good jobs in our communities.
Sven Tjelta, chair, Empire Hydrogen –
“Empire Hydrogen extends its sincere gratitude to the Province of British Columbia and Innovate BC for their support in advancing the deployment of our On Demend fuel-enhancement technology in Prince Rupert, Kitimat, Smithers and more. These deployments have already helped these communities save fuel and reduce harmful emissions through the Empire Hydrogen fuel enhancement system."
Jeremy Baines, CEO, Tidewater Renewables –
“We are pleased to be a leader in low-carbon fuels in Canada and part of this partnership supplying low-carbon renewable diesel from our Prince George facility. Tidewater’s renewable diesel is a low-emission source of drop in fuel that meets the tough original equipment manufacturers’ specifications and performs in our challenging northern B.C. climate. Our renewable diesel reduces carbon emissions in British Columbia by over 450,000 metric tonnes of CO2 annually.”
Phil Germuth, mayor, District of Kitimat –
“The District of Kitimat is excited to participate in this project that we hope will contribute to lower emissions and realize cost savings for our community. This pilot project opens the door to positive changes that will support broader adoption of clean technology and service delivery to our residents.”
Simon Yu, mayor, Prince George –
“We’re grateful to the Province and Innovate BC for investing in clean-energy solutions for northern B.C. This is an exciting next step in the work we’ve been doing with Prince Rupert and other corridor communities to modernize transportation. The City of Prince George is proud to be home to Tidewater, Canada’s first renewable diesel refinery and to support Canadian-made fuels at a time when buying Canadian matters most. We look forward to seeing the real-world results of these pilots and the opportunities they will create for a cleaner, stronger future in our region.”
Herb Pond, mayor, Prince Rupert –
“We’re proud to have been selected by Innovate BC as a testing ground for this new technology. Prince Rupert is a leading area for industrial growth, and this project gives us the chance to explore sustainable alternatives for operating our heavy fleet vehicles. The lessons we learn here could be transferable to industrial partners and other communities throughout the northern corridor.”
Quick Fact:
- B.C.’s investment in the Integrated Marketplace includes as much as $41.5 million from the Ministry of Jobs and Economic Growth.
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