Hydrogen in Canada – Status Quo, Debates and Potential

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Teichmann, Franziska; Raffaele Piria, Jens Honnen und Jakob Eckardt 2021: Hydrogen in Canada. Status Quo, Debates and Potential. Berlin: adelphi.

This study (in German only) analyses recent economic and political developments regarding hydrogen in Canada and outlines an agenda for cooperation with Germany. The chapters look at 1) the Canadian hydrogen sector and current pilot projects, 2) the federal hydrogen strategy, 3) the interests and political contexts of the provinces, 4) the potential for the production and export of hydrogen, with special emphasis on renewable energy resources and cost scenarios, as well as 5) the potential for cooperation with Germany.

Canada has the potential to become a major hydrogen exporter. As laid out in the federal hydrogen strategy of December 2020, the country aspires to realise this potential. Canada sees hydrogen as an opportunity to combine economic growth, energy security, climate mitigation, and clean air, as well as to create a business perspective for its oil and gas sector. By 2050, Canada wants to become one of the three largest hydrogen producers worldwide, consuming up to 20.5 million tonnes of domestically-sourced hydrogen as well as exporting large quantities.

There is great potential for blue hydrogen production, i.e. hydrogen produced with energy from fossil fuels in combination with carbon capture and storage, in Western Canada in particular. However, Canada also possesses large and inexpensive renewable energy resources, which could not only cover Canada’s entire energy needs but also be used for the export of green hydrogen. Eastern Canada in particular offers optimal conditions for a rapid market uptake of green hydrogen and could become an interesting future trading partner for Germany. 

You can download an Executive Summary in English here.

Further publications in this series