Evolugen and Gazifère announce large green hydrogen injection project in Quebec

Evolugen of Gatineau, QC, the Canadian operating business of Brookfield Renewable, and Gazifère Inc., an Enbridge company, have announced one of Canada’s largest green hydrogen projects for injection into a natural gas distribution network in Quebec.

The Quebec-based companies, as part of a collaboration formed to advance the development and use of green hydrogen, announced plans to build and operate an approximately 20 MW water electrolysis hydrogen production plant in the Outaouais region.

The facility will result in significant reductions of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and generate considerable benefits regionally, provincially, and nationally. The companies unveiled details of the ambitious project at the annual symposium of Quebec’s renewable energy production association (AQPER) that took place earlier this year.

The plant will be built in the Masson sector of the City of Gatineau, adjacent to Evolugen’s hydroelectric facilities, which will power the electrolyzer. An estimated capacity of approximately 425,000 GJ of green hydrogen will be produced for injection into Gazifère’s natural gas distribution network, making this the first project of its kind in Canada.

The project will remove approximately 15,000 metric tons in GHG emissions per year, in addition to generating significant local economic benefits, including new jobs and additional property tax revenue.

The project represents the first phase in the creation of a regional green economy ecosystem centered around the production, distribution, and use of green hydrogen. With ongoing support from the municipal, provincial, and federal governments, Evolugen and Gazifère are said to be well positioned to leverage numerous strategic assets, including access to natural resources and the expertise of the local workforce. The two companies are working together to develop the Outaouais region and put Quebec and Canada at the forefront of the movement to economically reduce GHG emissions.

Evolugen currently owns and operates 61 renewable energy facilities in Canada, including 33 hydroelectric facilities, 4 wind farms, and 24 solar sites, with a total installed capacity of 1912 MW.

Gazifère is a private corporation employing 110 people, and a subsidiary of Enbridge Inc. Established in the Outaouais region since 1959, it is one of two distributors of natural gas in Quebec.