Owen Sound City Council has officially endorsed a resolution supporting Public Energy Inc.’s proposed long-term capacity project in the city, marking a significant step toward advancing clean energy innovation locally.
Rebecca Ellerdiem, Senior Advisor, External Relations and Investment Attraction for the City of Owen Sound, said the proposed project, known as the Owen Sound Hydrogen Peaker Plant, would generate and store clean hydrogen to meet peak energy demand using a hydrogen-powered turbine.
"So you would have Hydrogen Optimized, which is producing the electrolyzers that can convert water into hydrogen and oxygen, and right across the street, you would have a facility that can demonstrate the potential of these brand-new, fully hydrogen-powered turbines," she explained. "Energy is drawn off the grid during periods of low demand, such as overnight, using primarily, ideally, renewable energy sources, wind, solar, also nuclear power. Then, during periods of high demand, the hydrogen that is generated overnight and stored on site would then be used to power these 100 per cent hydrogen turbines to feed energy back into the grid."
The facility would be located on a half-acre parcel of privately-owned industrial land at 1799 20th Street East, adjacent to Hydrogen Optimized’s manufacturing and demonstration facility.
Council’s municipal support is a key requirement for the project to move forward in the Independent Electricity System Operator’s long-term capacity procurement process. City staff emphasized that the resolution does not bypass Owen Sound’s normal development approval process.
The project is expected to strengthen the city’s profile as a hub for advanced manufacturing and clean energy, creating an estimated 400 jobs, including 20 full-time positions for long-term operations. According to staff, it could generate between $80 million and $400 million in investment.
Hydrogen-based technologies are uniquely suited to help fill gaps in the energy system that are technically or economically challenging to address through electrification alone, according to the province’s 2025 Integrated Energy Plan, highlighting hydrogen’s potential for peak electricity demand, long-duration energy storage, and emissions reduction in hard-to-abate sectors.
The Owen Sound project is a direct result of the partnership between Hydrogen Optimized and Public Energy, and it positions the city as a forward-looking clean energy hub. The initiative aligns with Owen Sound’s Strategic Plan priorities of promoting a green city and fostering economic growth through innovation in the clean energy sector.
