By Adam Berls

hydrogen

Fortescue puts PG hydrogen project on hold

Oct 18, 2024 | 2:08 PM

PRINCE GEORGE — Fortescue, the Australian energy company, which announced plans for Project Coyote, last year, is pulling the plug, for now. In a letter to the B.C. Enivronmental Assessment Office, Fortescue says that they are putting Project Coyote on hold until they are “able to secure more favourable power pricing and availability.”

The letter states in full:

“Fortescue recently completed an evaluation of our global project portfolio, with an aim to prioritize the projects in locations with favorable green energy policies and affordable and reliable renewable energy. We have focused our energy project portfolio to include a pipeline of commercially viable projects to carry us forward and meet future demand, while acting in the best interests of our shareholders.

With that, we have decided to put on hold our Project Coyote in Prince George until we are able to secure more favorable power pricing and availability. We appreciate the support of your department, the BC Government, the City of Prince George, and the Lheidli T’enneh Nation. We valued the collaboration with you and your team as we navigated the Early Engagement Phase of the environmental assessment process.

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This letter serves as a formal request to withdraw the Coyote Hydrogen Project from the environmental assessment process.”

The proposed facility would have been situated at the Willow Cale Industrial Park in Prince George on the unceded traditional territory of the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation. The potential 1000 MW facility would have produced green ammonia and green hydrogen to be exported or used domestically to reduce fossil fuel use and help meet climate targets in BC, Canada, and globally.

At the time of the announcement back in September of 2023, Fortescue Executive Chairman and Founder, Dr. Andrew Forrest said: “Today marks an important milestone on the road to building Canada’s first domestic green hydrogen supply chain, which will help meet British Columbia’s ambitious climate targets while supporting regional economic diversification, jobs and training opportunities. Fortescue is committed to working with all levels of government and the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation to realize our shared vision to establish a globally significant clean hydrogen sector in B.C.”

Mayor Simon Yu says that this step taken by Fortescue should not be seen as a negative signal and that there is still potential for hydrogen projects to take place in Prince George.

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X: @AdamBerls

Email: Adam.Berls@pattisonmedia.com