The new B.C. Centre for Innovation and Clean Energy will receive $105 million in funding by the province, the federal government, and Shell Canada. Each are contributing $35 million, collaborating to decarbonize the economy and scale up clean energy.
Scheduled to launch in fall 2021, the centre will bring together innovators from governments, industry and academia to expand B.C.-based clean energy technologies. It will focus on clean fuels, renewable natural gas, low-carbon hydrogen and carbon capture, utilization and storage. As a member-based organization, it will promote new partnerships and world-leading innovation to deliver emission reductions across the economy while creating jobs and helping Canada meet its goal of net zero by 2050.
“Climate change is the greatest challenge of our time and we are already seeing its devastating effects. Shifting from our reliance on fossil fuels to low-carbon energy requires an all-hands-on-deck approach,” said Premier John Horgan.
“That’s why we are working together with industry and government partners to create a Centre for Innovation and Clean Energy that will build on B.C.’s strengths as a climate leader. By supporting new technologies, we will stimulate investment and create the good jobs of the future.”
The centre’s initial focus areas for funding and project delivery will include:
- carbon capture, utilization and storage;
- the production, use and distribution of low-carbon hydrogen;
- biofuels and synthetic fuels (including marine and aviation fuels);
- renewable natural gas; and
- battery technology, storage and energy management systems.
The centre will also initiate new technology pathways to accelerate larger reductions on the path to net-zero emissions by 2050.
The Centre is supported through the Government of British Columbia’s $10-billion COVID-19 response, which includes the StrongerBC for Everyone recovery plan, and aligns with Shell’s strategy to decarbonize its energy business by 2050.
