ABB and Charbone Hydrogen Corporation, a Montreal-based leader in green hydrogen production, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to work together on the creation of up to 15 scalable and modular green hydrogen facilities across North America over the next five years. These facilities will offer a cleaner energy source for industries that currently rely on grey hydrogen, such as steel production.
The agreement designates ABB as the preferred supplier for the design, engineering, manufacturing, testing, and delivery of modular electrical substations (eHouses) that connect the production sites to local utilities. ABB will also assist Charbone in optimizing the engineering processes and components across its projects to improve energy efficiency and reliability. Depending on project needs, ABB could also take on roles in automation, electrification, and telecom services.
One of the initial locations for this collaboration is Charbone’s flagship green hydrogen facility in Sorel-Tracy, near Montreal. This plant is set to connect to the Hydro-Québec grid by the second quarter of 2025, using hydropower to fuel green hydrogen electrolyzers. The facility will serve as a model for designing scalable and modular equipment for other future Charbone locations, including an upcoming project in the Detroit area, a hub for major automotive manufacturers.
Daniel Charette, Chief Operating Officer of Charbone Hydrogen Corporation, emphasized, “This partnership with ABB is a significant step in our strategy for the North American green hydrogen market. With the Sorel-Tracy project moving swiftly into operational phases, and the efficiency of our plug-and-play modular approach, Charbone is committed to supporting the decarbonization of industries.”
The Quebec government has also outlined a Green Hydrogen and Bioenergy Strategy to aid the growth of hydrogen and bioenergy as key energy sources for industries such as transportation and metal production. The strategy aims to reduce the province’s petroleum use by almost one billion liters annually by 2030, potentially cutting carbon emissions by 4 million tons per year — the equivalent of removing 1.2 million gasoline cars from the roads.
Per Erik Holsten, President of ABB Energy Industries, commented, “Green hydrogen is pivotal in the transition to a low-carbon energy future. We’re excited to support Charbone’s initiative to grow green hydrogen production in North America, helping industries scale sustainably.”
As part of the agreement, Charbone will integrate ABB’s Extended Operator Workplace (EOW) system in all its upcoming facilities, along with a main operator workstation at its headquarters to oversee operations. These systems, the first of their kind in North America’s green hydrogen plants, will improve production and minimize downtime through continuous monitoring.
In 2023, global hydrogen demand reached 97 megatons, primarily driven by refining and chemical industries, marking a 2.5% increase year-over-year. Although low-emission hydrogen production currently stands at under 1 megaton, it is expected to rise to 49 megatons per year by 2030, thanks to projects like this one.
ABB, a global leader in electrification and automation, has been driving sustainable, resource-efficient solutions for over 140 years. The company, with more than 110,000 employees worldwide, continues to help industries enhance performance, productivity, and sustainability.
Charbone, an integrated green hydrogen company, is focused on establishing a network of modular green hydrogen facilities across North America, producing eco-friendly hydrogen for industrial, commercial, and future mobility applications. Charbone is the only publicly traded green hydrogen company with shares listed on the TSX Venture Exchange, OTC Markets, and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.
