This ambitious project is expected to produce up to 70,000 tonnes of green hydrogen per year as soon as it is commissioned (planned for 2028), leading to an estimated annual reduction of 800,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent. Two-thirds of the green hydrogen produced will be transformed into renewable natural gas (RNG), using methanation, that can then be used for industrial processes that are difficult to decarbonize through electrification. The other third will be earmarked for heavy transport.
This is one of the biggest clean hydrogen projects in Canada and one of Québec's most significant decarbonization initiatives to date. According to TES Canada, it will account for 3% of Québec's 2030 decarbonization target.
“This project is a firm commitment to a green economy. It demonstrates just how important the energy portfolio is in making this transition a success,” explains Stéphane Charest, Vice-President – Energy and Chemicals, and decarbonization leader at BBA. “Heavy transport and certain industrial processes are still challenging to electrify. With access to low-carbon fuels, these sectors will be able to lessen their dependence on fossil fuels.”
“Our involvement in this green hydrogen project is based on a combination of many areas of our expertise, including wind and solar energy, electrochemical processes and methanation,” says Lyne Ricard, Senior Subject Matter Expert in Process Engineering. “This know-how gives us in-depth expertise in addressing the complexities of industrial decarbonization.”
“This project highlights the critical importance of renewable energy in our energy transition,” adds Carole Barbeau, Director, Energy Market Expansion. “With the province set to significantly increase its wind power capacity over the next few years, this is an opportunity to develop innovative projects that make the most of our resources and expertise, like Projet Mauricie.
The mandate awarded to AtkinsRéalis and BBA includes implementing a renewable energy production farm with a total capacity of 1,000 MW. Powered mainly by self-generated wind and solar power, this project will also benefit from a 150 MW energy block supplied by Hydro-Québec, demonstrating the strategic significance of this project in Québec.
