The Province will be contributing $2 million from the Innovative Clean Energy (ICE) fund to support the engineering and design of a new clean energy project near Merritt. The plant, the first of its kind, will capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and convert it to clean fuels.
“The Merritt Electro Fuels Project advances made-in-B.C. technology to capture carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere and convert it into clean fuels,” said Bruce Ralston, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low-Carbon Innovation.
“This innovative, world-leading project will support our economy’s shift away from fossil fuels while creating new jobs and opportunities for British Columbians.”
Huron Clean Energy, a Squamish based company, proposes to finance, design, build, and operate the plant which will produce low-carbon, synthetic fuels that can replace standard diesel, marine and aviation fuels.
Huron has entered into a partnership with Oxy Low Carbon Ventures and also has an exclusive licensing arrangement for Canada with Carbon Engineering, a B.C.-based company leading the world in negative emissions technology, that removes carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere through direct air capture.
Carbon dioxide, or CO2, is a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.
The project will use renewable BC Hydro hydroelectricity and integrate green hydrogen production to produce 103 million litres of low-carbon fuel per year through the input of 250,000 tonnes of captured carbon, 315 megawatts of electricity and 35,200 tonnes of hydrogen.
The Merritt Electro Fuels Project will help meet the CleanBC goal of developing 650 million litres of new renewable fuel production capacity in BC. It will also provide an estimated 620 direct jobs during the design and development phase, another 4,780 direct jobs during construction and 340 long term jobs during the plant’s operation.
Huron Clean Energy has an equity partnership and land-lease arrangement with the Upper Nicola Band, with the Band receiving a substantial part of the equity interest in the project.
“When I first came to live here in British Columbia, I learned from First Nations the value of stewardship,” said Huron CEO Michael Hutchison.
“And stewardship says that the environment is not yours to have but yours to protect.”
Hutchison believes that the Merritt Electro Fuels Project will demonstrate this idea and commitment to the world.
“By working together in partnership with the Upper Nicola First Nation, we are funding new, innovative technology to advance reconciliation and build a low-carbon future for B.C.,” said George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy.
“Through CleanBC, this project upon completion will significantly reduce emissions while creating long-term, clean jobs for people in the Nicola Valley.”
Chief of the Upper Nicola Band, Harvey McLeod spoke with great regard for the project at a press conference in Squamish on Oct. 14.
“This land needs time to heal as well, and we have to be a part of that solution,” said McLeod.
“That’s why we stand here today. The economic benefits that could be generated from a project of this magnitude, will change forever the people of Upper Nicola, the Nicola Valley, the nation, and by showing and taking the small steps that it takes to make change for Mother Earth, to make change in us as people,” McLeod continued.
“This will only be possible when we all work together. When we work with you, and you work with us, that’s how we’ll see real true reconciliation in the peoples of this land, and we all become part of the solution to protect and to allow Mother Earth to recover, so that our future generations have an opportunity to continue living on this beautiful land of ours.”
Project partners hope to have construction on the plant underway by 2022, meaning the plant could be commissioned and operational by 2025.
