Simon Fraser University's Clean Hydrogen Hub has signed an agreement with three other leading Canadian hydrogen hubs conducting similar research and activities in developing hydrogen energy technologies.
The collaboration between SFU, Vallée de la Transition Énergétique (VTE, Québec), Newfoundland and Labrador Hydrogen Innovation Partnership (HyIP, Newfoundland), and the Edmonton Regional Hydrogen Hub (Alberta) will form the Pan-Canadian Alliance of Hydrogen Hubs, representing a major national milestone in advancing Canada's leadership in clean hydrogen technologies. By linking hydrogen hubs from across Canada, the partnership aims to break down geographic barriers and leverage regional strengths, including the potential for interprovincial trade.
The four partners have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU), outlining their joint mission to accelerate the development of hydrogen technologies as a cornerstone of Canada's transition to a low-carbon economy. Through collaboration, the hubs will grow a national hydrogen ecosystem to drive investment, scale breakthrough solutions, support workforce development, and ensure energy security and sustainability for generations to come.
The MOU outlines areas of mutual interest and cooperation, which include: supporting the advancement of hydrogen-related projects in each region; promoting the use, application, and commercialization of Canadian-developed hydrogen technologies; facilitating education, training, and community engagement at all levels; and ensuring knowledge transfer and sharing best practices across economic, financial, and technical domains.
"Simon Fraser University is thrilled to be a part of the Pan-Canadian Alliance of Hydrogen Hubs, a vital collaboration that will advance Canadian leadership in clean hydrogen technologies," says Dugan O'Neil, SFU's vice-president, research and innovation.
Climate Innovation is a strategic research priority for SFU, and the alliance furthers SFU's commitments to engage in critical research partnerships that mobilize knowledge and support community-centred climate innovation. Aligned with Canada's ambition to be a global energy superpower, the partnership will champion hydrogen as a critical pathway to net-zero, enabling cross-sectoral decarbonization, and enhance Canada's international leadership in hydrogen energy innovation.
Hydrogen gas can be created cleanly from water via electrolysis and can be used as an alternative energy carrier or as an intermediary to create other products, such as clean methanol or ammonia. Unlike fossil fuel energy which releases CO2 into the atmosphere, the byproducts of electrolysis are water and oxygen, meaning that the use of hydrogen from sustainable sources can help dramatically reduce carbon emissions.
In September 2025, the federal government announced the first tranche of nation-building projects along with concepts for further development, which includes transformative strategies such as the Wind West Atlantic Energy project, a major wind power project in Nova Scotia.
The MOU builds on prior provincial joint initiatives such as the statement of co-operation on clean-energy solutions between BC and Newfoundland.
Hydrogen and its derivatives, produced from abundant clean electricity, can support federal export agreements, including the Canada-Germany Hydrogen Alliance being advanced by Natural Resources Canada, which presents an opportunity to develop transatlantic hydrogen hubs.
The four hubs allying in this MOU participated in a Transatlantic Hydrogen Hub Dialogue and exchange earlier in 2025 with the intent to further the exchange between Canadian and German regions on the development and expansion of hydrogen hubs. SFU seeks to advance the opportunity for BC-based technologies and expertise to partake in nation-building energy projects.
"Hydrogen represents a transformative opportunity for Canada to decarbonize our economy-spanning everything from production through to end use," says Brent Lakeman, Executive Director, Edmonton Region Hydrogen Hub.
"Hydrogen hubs are at the forefront of this transition, catalyzing innovation and accelerating adoption. As Canada's first hydrogen hub, the Edmonton region understands the importance of collaboration. By working together, sharing approaches, and building the infrastructure and workforce required, hubs across the country can help Canada realize hydrogen's full potential in achieving a clean energy future.
About the SFU Clean Hydrogen Hub
Based at Simon Fraser University, the Clean Hydrogen Hub is a one-megawatt testbed and global research and innovation platform dedicated to advancing hydrogen production, storage, and applications. The hub works across disciplines and sectors to reduce the costs of clean hydrogen production and co-develop technologies that will decarbonize Canada's economy.
The Clean Hydrogen Hub is made possible through funding from PacifiCan, NorthX Climate Tech, Fortis BC Energy Inc, the BC Ministry of Energy and Climate Solutions via the Innovative Clean Energy Fund, and the City of Burnaby.
