CALGARY, July 21, 2020 /PRNewswire/ - ATCO Ltd.
(TSX: ACO.X) (TSX: ACO.Y) / Canadian Utilities Limited (TSX:
CU) (TSX: CU.X)
Canadian Utilities, an ATCO company, today announced it has been
awarded $2.8 million in funding from
Emission Reductions Alberta's (ERA) Natural Gas Challenge to
advance a first-of-its-kind hydrogen blending project in
Fort Saskatchewan, Alta. Once
complete, the project will be Canada's largest hydrogen blending project,
injecting up to five per cent hydrogen by volume into a section of
Fort Saskatchewan's residential
natural gas distribution network, lowering the carbon intensity of
the natural gas stream for its customers.
"Affordably decarbonizing the production of heat is vital to
achieve our long-term emissions and energy goals, particularly in
our cold Canadian climate, and hydrogen can play a powerful role,"
said Siegfried Kiefer, President
& Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Utilities. "This project is
an important first step for Alberta, which has all the ingredients needed
to be a leader in the hydrogen economy—including the ability to
produce near zero-emissions hydrogen at a lower cost than virtually
any other jurisdiction in the world."
Canadian Utilities' project will use hydrogen derived from
domestically-produced natural gas, with the intent to eventually
leverage Alberta's existing carbon
capture and sequestration infrastructure to store emissions
associated with the production process. Engaging with customers and
the community of Fort Saskatchewan
will be integral to the project. Canadian Utilities will work
diligently to create awareness about the safety of hydrogen,
environmental benefits and the considerable economic potential.
"This project will not only create jobs, but a roadmap for
hydrogen in Alberta, using
low-cost, responsibly produced natural gas while leveraging the
province's existing investment in carbon capture technology," said
George Lidgett, Executive Vice
President and General Manager, Utilities, Canadian Utilities. "Our
vision is to enable Western
Canada's world-class natural gas industry to grow in tandem
with Alberta's hydrogen economy,
including supplying eventual exports to global markets where demand
is steadily growing."
The Fort Saskatchewan Blending Project is expected to get
underway in September with commercial and community activities.
Construction is planned to commence begin the first quarter of
2021.
"The City is pleased to be the site of this proposed hydrogen
blending project," said Fort
Saskatchewan Mayor Gale
Katchur. "This project demonstrates Fort Saskatchewan's commitment to
sustainability and reducing emissions, while supporting our local
economy. We look forward to working with ATCO."
This isn't ATCO's first foray into the production, distribution
and use of hydrogen. Last year, ATCO officially opened its
world-class Clean Energy Innovation Hub in Western Australia. The industry-leading
facility is a test bed for hybrid energy solutions and integrates
natural gas, solar PV, battery storage and clean hydrogen
production. In addition, ATCO is working with Fortescue Metals
Group in Australia to explore
hydrogen vehicle fuelling infrastructure in Western Australia and has recently been
awarded funding by the government of Western Australia to conduct a feasibility
study into the development of a commercial scale hydrogen
production plant.
Blending hydrogen into the natural gas grid is being safely
trialed in several countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, The
Netherlands, Germany,
Denmark and France, with concentrations reaching up 30 to
per cent by volume.
With approximately 4,600 employees, assets of $20 billion, and two million customers around the
world, Canadian Utilities Limited, an ATCO company, is a
diversified global energy infrastructure corporation delivering
essential energy services, service excellence and innovative
business solutions in Utilities (electricity and natural gas
transmission and distribution), Energy Infrastructure (electricity
generation, energy storage, and industrial water solutions); and
Retail Energy (electricity and natural gas retail sales). More
information can be found at www.canadianutilities.com.
Investor Inquiries:
Myles
Dougan
Director, Investor Relations & External Disclosure
T: 403 292 7879 C: 403 828 2908
Media Inquiries:
Leanne Madder
Senior Communications Advisor
T: 587 215 9115
Forward-Looking Information:
Certain
statements contained in this news release may constitute
forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is often,
but not always, identified by the use of words such as
"anticipate", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will",
"intend", "should", and similar expressions.
Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or
events to differ materially from those anticipated in such
forward-looking information.
The Company's actual
results could differ materially from those anticipated in this
forward-looking information as a result of regulatory decisions,
competitive factors in the industries in which the Company
operates, prevailing economic conditions (including as may be
affected by the COVID-19 pandemic), and other factors, many of
which are beyond the control of the Company.
The Company
believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking
information are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that
these expectations will prove to be correct and such
forward-looking information should not be unduly relied
upon.
Any forward-looking information contained in this
news release represents the Company's expectations as of the date
hereof, and is subject to change after such date. The Company
disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any
forward-looking information whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable
securities legislation.
View original content to download
multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/atco-to-build-albertas-first-hydrogen-blending-project-with-era-support-301096658.html
SOURCE ATCO Ltd.