Fortescue Future Industries (FFI), a subsidiary of the mining giant Fortescue Metals, has unveiled a proposal for a cutting-edge green hydrogen and ammonia production facility named ‘Project Coyote’ in Prince George, British Columbia, Canada. This ambitious endeavor aims to annually yield around 140,000 tonnes of hydrogen and 700,000 tonnes of ammonia, fulfilling both domestic and international demands.
The cornerstone of this venture is an electrolysis process for green hydrogen production, for which FFI would necessitate a robust 1,000 MW of electricity sourced from BC Hydro. Simultaneously, FFI is diligently progressing through the environmental approval procedures mandated by the provincial government.
FFI has been collaborating extensively with local and regional stakeholders to ensure the project’s success. Notably, the company inked Memoranda of Understandings (MoUs) last year with three Indigenous Nations in Canada, including the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation in British Columbia. These agreements have been instrumental in paving the way for green hydrogen initiatives across the country, complete with negotiated benefit-sharing arrangements with the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation.
Billionaire entrepreneur Andrew Forrest, the founder of FFI and current executive chairman of Fortescue Metals Group, personally visited Prince George to announce the project proposal. During his visit, Forrest engaged with Chief Dolleen Logan of the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation and conveyed his excitement about the project’s transformative potential.
Prince George was chosen as the ideal site for the green hydrogen facility due to its pristine environment, ample water resources, and an abundant supply of electricity. The city also boasts essential hydrogen distribution infrastructure, including an airport, a vital highway intersection, and railway links to the ports of Prince Rupert and Vancouver.
FFI’s proposal resonates with the British Columbian government’s dedication to bolstering Prince George’s position as a regional hydrogen hub. The government has generously extended funding to the city to accelerate its growth in the hydrogen sector.
Beyond Canada, FFI’s interest in hydrogen production and export extends globally. The company has been actively advocating for renewable energy projects in countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom. Furthermore, during the hydrogen summit in Newfoundland last year, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed their intent to explore hydrogen exports from Canada to Germany.
Fortescue has additional plans to explore similar green hydrogen projects in various parts of Canada, encompassing Labrador, Nova Scotia, Quebec, and Manitoba. The ultimate goal is to emerge as a prominent global exporter of green hydrogen, with a target of producing a staggering 15 million tonnes annually by 2030.
