The Government of British Columbia, Government of Canada and Shell Canada are each committing funding toward the new B.C. Centre for Innovation and Clean Energy and collaborating to decarbonize the economy and scale up clean energy.

“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 will bring together innovators, industry, governments and academics to accelerate the commercialization and scale-up of B.C.-based clean-energy technologies. It will also be a catalyst for new partnerships and world-leading innovation to deliver near- and longer-term carbon emission reductions.

“Our government is committed to reducing Canada’s emissions while, at the same time, creating good quality jobs and building a greener, more resilient economy,” said Carla Qualtrough, federal Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion. “Today’s investment in the B.C. Centre for Innovation and Clean Energy will help innovators advance clean-technology solutions to do just that.”

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.

“Rising to meet the challenge of global climate change requires joint action from business and government to help scale up cleaner energy solutions,” said Susannah Pierce, president and country chair, Shell Canada. “As a company that has operated in Canada for 110 years, we are keen to invest in low-carbon projects aligned with Shell’s target to become a net-zero emission energy business by 2050, in step with society.”

The Government of B.C. and Shell Canada have each committed $35 million to the centre that will leverage additional public and private-sector investments and participation. The Government of Canada has committed up to $35 million for the centre’s innovative projects.

Scheduled to launch in fall 2021, the centre will be established as a member-based, non-profit corporation operating independent from government and private entities. Its intent is to attract a wide range of companies and partners that share a common focus on low-carbon innovation and scaling up B.C.-based clean-energy technology.

“The Centre for Innovation and Clean Energy is part of our government’s commitment to create a better future by building an inclusive, sustainable and innovative economy with new clean-energy jobs for people throughout B.C.,” said Ravi Kahlon, B.C.'s Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation. “The centre will help B.C.-based companies develop, scale up and launch new low-carbon energy technologies and will help establish B.C. as a global exporter of climate solutions.”

The centre is part of the StrongerBC for Everyone Recovery Plan - a plan that protects people’s health and livelihoods while supporting businesses and communities.

As part of Budget 2021 and delivered through Natural Resources Canada’s Energy Innovation Program, the federal government’s contribution to the centre will advance clean-energy technologies that help Canada meet its climate change targets and build a low-emissions energy future.

Shell has announced a strategy to accelerate its transformation into a provider of net-zero emission energy products and services and is working with customers, businesses and governments to address emissions, particularly in sectors that are difficult to decarbonize. Shell recently invested in Quebec’s first commercial-scale, waste-to-low-carbon fuels plant and earlier this month announced a proposed large-scale carbon-capture and storge facility in Alberta.

Quotes:

Santa J. Ono, president and vice-chancellor, University of British Columbia (UBC) –

“Addressing the climate crisis requires innovation, collaboration and commitment. Research institutions like UBC play vital roles in understanding the true impacts of climate change and in developing the solutions and talented people needed to tackle this global crisis. UBC looks forward to partnering with the B.C. Centre for Innovation and Clean Energy as it works to develop and roll out technologies that will help decarbonize the economy.”

Steve Oldham, CEO, Carbon Engineering –

“As a B.C. clean-tech company working to commercialize critical climate technologies, we applaud this initiative and those like it that support innovators in scaling their solutions. Domestic deployment of clean-energy solutions, like Carbon Engineering’s carbon removal and synthetic fuel technologies, will create high-quality Canadian jobs, demand for Canadian materials and equipment, and significant emissions reductions to help meet our net-zero goals.”

Jeanette Jackson, CEO, Foresight Cleantech Accelerator Centre –

“Foresight is pleased to support the identification, acceleration and adoption of clean technologies that help meet British Columbia's and Canada's urgent climate and net-zero emission targets. The B.C. Centre for Innovation and Clean Energy is an exciting initiative with the potential to support an increase in skilled green jobs and provide needed resources for British Columbia's innovative clean-tech businesses to excel. We look forward to working with these partners to advance clean-tech innovation that will help us reach our climate goals and position Canada as a true leader on the global stage.” 

Raymond Lings, president and CEO, Powertech Labs –

“The global pivot to clean energy will create opportunities throughout our society and will transform the way we work and play. The B.C. Centre for Innovation and Clean Energy will harness and focus the efforts of the best minds within British Columbia to ensure we remain at the forefront of change. This will require big leaps forward in technology and British Columbians can count on Powertech to be part of this technological revolution.”

Learn More:

StrongerBC: https://strongerbc.gov.bc.ca/

Government of Canada’s Energy Innovation Program: https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/science-and-data/funding-partnerships/funding-opportunities/funding-grants-incentives/energy-innovation-program/18876)

For more information about Shell’s climate target, visit: www.shell.com/powering-progress