British Columbia is already leading the way in clean fuel adoption across North America. With 98% of its electricity coming from clean or renewable sources, the province has made strong progress in building a low-carbon energy system. But electricity and batteries can’t meet every need. To build a truly effective clean energy economy, BC must continue expanding its energy options.
That is why HTEC is building hydrogen production, distribution and end-use all in one regional hydrogen hub. With strong renewable resources and a skilled workforce, HTEC is in the process of developing the country’s first hydrogen transportation hub in Metro Vancouver. The goal is to develop a self-sustaining system that lowers GHG emissions in the transportation sector and can be replicated across the province and eventually the country.
This blog explores the foundation of a hydrogen hub: clean hydrogen production. It also highlights why having a localized supply matters.
What Is Clean Hydrogen and Why Does It Matter?
Hydrogen can be produced through a variety of methods; some use clean energy sources, while others rely on fossil fuels. For example, clean hydrogen often uses renewable sources like wind or hydro to power production and produces little to no carbon emissions. On the other hand, grey hydrogen is made from natural gas and releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Understanding these differences is important because the way hydrogen is made directly affects its environmental impact—and its role in building a truly clean energy future. In Canada, the environmental footprint of hydrogen depends on the carbon emissions associated with its production method, also known as its carbon intensity. This means, when the hydrogen is produced, the amount of carbon emissions released is how it is measured and classified.
In BC, HTEC is using hydroelectricity to power electrolysis at the Burnaby Clean Hydrogen Production Facility. Electrolysis is the process of splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using an electric current. At HTEC’s Burnaby Clean Hydrogen Facility one tonne of clean hydrogen will be produced per day through electrolysis and an additional one tonne will be stored on sight through a liquid tank. Other forms of clean hydrogen production, like at HTEC’s planned liquefaction facility, will capture by-product hydrogen from already existing industrial plants and purify it. This process uses less electricity and uses a waste stream for the hydrogen, making its emissions even lower. Both forms of hydrogen production are considered clean because they produce little or no carbon dioxide. For HTEC, producing clean hydrogen is essential—it aligns with our mission to reduce emissions and support the transition to a low-carbon future.
The Case for Local Hydrogen Production
HTEC’s hydrogen fueling network is growing, with stations currently in Metro Vancouver, Victoria, and Kelowna. To enable more vehicle owners to switch to hydrogen, producing fuel close to where it’s used becomes essential. Local production reduces the need for long-distance transport, and builds a reliable, high-quality supply.
Burnaby plays a key role in this strategy. It’s not just another site—it’s part of BC’s clean-tech cluster. By building a production facility here, HTEC is strengthening the backbone of the Metro Vancouver hydrogen hub. Hydrogen will be produced, distributed, and used within the same region, creating a more secure and cost-effective supply chain while reinforcing a made-in-Canada approach to clean energy.
Local production also supports the economy. The Burnaby Clean Hydrogen Production Facility will support 14 full-time jobs, and the planned liquefaction facility in nearby North Vancouver is expected to support around 50 more. Beyond jobs, it brings supply security and quality control. Because HTEC operates across the value chain, we can ensure the hydrogen is made sustainably and meets our standards—giving customers confidence in every fill-up.
Building a Successful Hydrogen Hub
Hydrogen is an emerging technology, and while HTEC has been operating hydrogen infrastructure since 2004, it has always been a challenge to find a steady stream of clean hydrogen supply. This challenge comes down largely to the business case. Without committed off-take, there was little incentive for anyone to invest in building hydrogen supply. At the same time, without reliable supply in place, it was difficult for end-users to make the switch to this clean alternative—creating a cycle of uncertainty that slowed adoption. This dilemma is what inspired HTEC to develop the Metro Vancouver hydrogen hub that is deploying hydrogen supply and demand simultaneously.
This hub is designed to accelerate the transition to low-carbon transportation and help pave the way for a cleaner future. To support this goal, HTEC introduced a vehicle leasing service that lowers barriers to entry and reduces risk for fleets, making it easier to adopt hydrogen fuel cell trucks while ensuring consistent off-take for hydrogen supply.
Hydrogen fuel cell trucks offer several benefits over other clean heavy-duty alternatives. These trucks operate similarly to traditional diesel with quick fueling times and higher payload capabilities than battery electric vehicles. This ensures minimal disruptions to fleet operators. Rather than using clean electricity to directly charge trucks—as is the case with battery-electric vehicles, which can be costly and time-intensive for fleet operations—this electricity is leveraged to produce a clean, scalable fuel alternative: hydrogen.
In the fall, HTEC’s Burnaby Clean Hydrogen Production Facility will become fully operational and support the deployment of hydrogen fuel cell trucks across Vancouver. In the future, HTEC plans to open a hydrogen liquefaction facility. This is important because it makes hydrogen more accessible and practical for everyday use—supporting wider adoption while keeping infrastructure and delivery costs manageable.
Conclusion
The Burnaby Clean Hydrogen Production Facility, which will be the first at-scale electrolyzer plant dedicated to fueling zero-emission fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), will play a pivotal role in supporting the Metro Vancouver Hydrogen Hub and driving the region’s shift toward a low-carbon future. The goal is to successfully establish a self-sustaining hydrogen hub that can serve as a scalable model for future replication across Canada and beyond, driving down transportation emissions and accelerating the transition to a cleaner, low-carbon future.