Planned Prince George hydrogen project set to reduce pulp mill gas use

PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. – The Province of British Columbia is assisting the City of Prince George to kick-start a proposed hydrogen project to reduce the use of natural gas.

Chilliwack-based Teralta Hydrogen Solutions is planning a clean hydrogen system that will reduce natural gas use at Canfor’s pulp mill by 25 per cent by collecting byproduct hydrogen from Chemtrade Logistics’ sodium chlorate production facility, purifying and compressing it for use in Canfor’s adjacent pulp mill. 

The B.C. government recently made a regulatory change that allows gas utilities to acquire hydrogen to replace fossil fuels, and the government provided $150,000 to the City of Prince George in December 2023 to “help kick-start the development of a regional hydrogen hub in collaboration with industry, First Nations and the public,” a release said.

“Our work is creating jobs and delivering cleaner air across the province. B.C.’s hydrogen strategy has paved the way for this project to move forward, providing significant benefits to workers, the region and the whole province. Teralta and their partners, Chemtrade and Canfor Pulp, are leaders in fighting climate change through creative solutions that lower carbon emissions, create good-paying jobs for people, and build healthier communities,” B.C. Premier David Eby said in a statement.

“Today, the building for the hydrogen processing is in place and the infrastructure to capture and upgrade the hydrogen is in the works. While clean hydrogen is recognized as an important component in achieving a sustainable future, few projects have come to fruition. B.C has the potential to lead the world with its Hydrogen Strategy and the success of this project will be the groundwork for future initiatives here and abroad,” Teralta CEO Simon Pickup added.

FortisBC is exploring participation in this project as part of its work to understand how hydrogen might be delivered through the company’s natural gas system, the release said.