SARNIA, ON: Today, the Ontario government has released its Low-Carbon Hydrogen Strategy to accelerate the development of the low-carbon hydrogen economy in theprovince that will create jobs and reduce emissions. The strategy seeks to leverage theProvince�s world class talent and clean energy advantage to position Ontario as a worldleader in hydrogen, while clearing path and laying the groundwork to support the privatesector to take the lead in growing the low-carbon hydrogen economy. Within thestrategy, the Sarnia-Lambton area is highlighted as having taken steps to championitself as a hydrogen hub, being recognized as a region to advance low-carbon hydrogenand critical to Ontario�s low-carbon hydrogen future.Through efforts by the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership and in coordination withan alliance of twenty local stakeholders representing industry, research, and economicdevelopment 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 localhydrogen infrastructure as a catalyst to position the Sarnia-Lambton area to becomehome to the low carbon hydrogen sector for Ontario and beyond.�With the release of Ontario�s Low-Carbon Hydrogen Strategy we expect a burst ofactivity around hydrogen adoption in the Province,� said partnership interim-CEO JudithMorris. �The Sarnia-Lambton area, as Ontario�s Hydrogen Hub, is well positioned todevelop a self-sustaining low-carbon hydrogen economy that would create local jobs,attract investment and reduce GHG emissions. The area has every opportunity to beOntario�s leader in hydrogen production, demand, research, and associatedinvestment.�As part of the strategy, the Sarnia-Lambton area is highlighted for opportunitiesassociated with local refineries and chemical production transformation, gaseous fuelstorage and underground caverns for subsurface hydrogen storage. As the localchemical sector continues to focus on environmental sustainability, chemicalmanufacturers are investing in technologies that contribute to waste and carbonemission reductions, as well as the evolving circular economy. Additionally, existinglocal ammonia production capabilities are highlighted as a key opportunity fordecarbonization 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 significantcarbon dioxide storage potential, while an inventory of existing salt caverns represent asafe 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 anddistribution of natural gas for the production of hydrogen, or hydrogen itself.A noteworthy inclusion in the strategy, Atura Power has identified four strategiclocations across the province where low-carbon hydrogen demand can be matched byelectrolysis produced hydrogen that leverages existing electricity infrastructure andOntario's clean electricity grid, including Sarnia-Lambton as one of those areas. Coinedthe Lambton Energy Centre, the proposed project would be located at the formerOntario Power Generation Lambton Generating Station. Atura Power is investigating theopportunity to produce large-scale low-carbon hydrogen at this site and serve heavyindustry in the Sarnia-Lambton area in support of a local hydrogen hub. A feasibilitystudy application for this site has been submitted to the federal government for fundingand, pending award, will commence in summer 2022.�The Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership is pleased to support the Province�sstrategy, as it aligns with the low-carbon diversification, expansion, and innovationefforts of local stakeholders and industry�, said Morris. �The drive to net-zero emissionsis an effort that creates opportunities nationally, provincially, and most importantly,locally. With the low-carbon hydrogen strategy suggesting it could support up to100,000 jobs and greenhouse gas emissions reductions of 50 megatonnes per year by2050, the Sarnia-Lambton area can be, and will be, part of the solution and we lookforward to working with the Province to capitalize on this important shift towardssustainability.�Earlier this year, the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership initiated a project todevelop a low-carbon hydrogen strategy for the Ontario�s Hydrogen Hub. Supported byGlobal Affairs Canada�s CanExport Community Investments program, the low-carbonhydrogen strategy will guide efforts by the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership andpartners in the Ontario�s Hydrogen Hub by providing the framework and roadmap forindustry attraction, while supporting the long-term success of the Sarnia-Lambton areain the low-carbon economy. This project is on-going and will provide an opportunity forthe region to be aligned with Ontario�s Low-Carbon Hydrogen Strategy and Canada�sHydrogen 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 theSarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership.ABOUT Sarnia-Lambton Economic PartnershipThe Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership (SLEP) is the lead economic developmentagency for the Sarnia-Lambton area. Funded by the County of Lambton, we have afocus on promoting the distinct advantages that Sarnia-Lambton proudly offerscompanies and residents. By coordinating community-based economic developmentinitiatives and working to maintain a commercially attractive environment, we foster newbusiness creation, help ensure that established firms remain and grow here, and workto attract growing businesses to the Sarnia-Lambton area. Visit sarnialambton.on.ca tolearn more.Media ContactMatthew SlotwinskiSenior Economic Development OfficerSarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership519-332-1820matthew@sarnialambton.on.ca
