The Government of British Columbia, Government of Canada and Shell Canada are each committing funding toward the new BC Centre for Innovation and Clean Energy, which will launch this fall.

The Government of BC 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 projects.

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The centre, which was previously announced in Budget 2021, is meant to bring together innovators, industry, governments and academics to accelerate the commercialization and scale-up of B.C.-based clean-energy technologies.

“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 BC’s strengths as a climate leader. By supporting new technologies, we will stimulate investment and create the good jobs of the future.”

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.

Launching in fall 2021

Scheduled to launch in fall 2021, the centre will be established as a member-based, non-profit corporation operating independently 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.”

Federal and private investments

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.

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