INDUSTRY – $21.7-million green hydrogen plant planned for pulp mill

A $21.7-million green hydrogen production plant is in the works for the Kruger pulp mill in Kamloops.

Called the Kamloops Clean Energy Centre, the project is being touted as a first-of-its-kind, 10-megawatt facility that will drive industrial decarbonization and showcase indigenous-led clean energy innovation.

It will produce up to four tonnes of green hydrogen and 32 tonnes of oxygen per day. The hydrogen is expected to reduce Kruger’s natural gas use by 16 per cent, reducing about 7,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually, supporting CleanBC’s emission reduction goals.

A portion of the oxygen will be reused directly in the mill process, contributing to a local circular economy. The facility also supports future hydrogen blending opportunities, advancing B.C.’s Hydrogen Strategy.

Enabled by B.C.’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction (Clean Energy) Regulation, plans are now in the Front-End Engineering and Design (FEED) phase. Feasibility and FEED work have been supported by Natural Resources Canada, BC Hydro, and project partners, said a news release.

Sc.wén̓wen Economic Development, Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc’s economic development arm, alongside Elemental Clean Fuels and Kruger Kamloops Pulp LP,  have teamed up to drive the project, and will work with FortisBC to establish a potential off-take agreement, “which will be critical to bringing the project to a positive final investment decision.”