Commercial start of the facility, which will also include hydrogen distribution and dispensing operations, is expected for 2026-2027.

Earlier this year, the board of the New York Power Authority (NYPA) approved 94 MW of low-cost St. Lawrence hydroelectric power to Air Products for the “significant investment” that is expected to create 90 jobs and support New York state's goal of becoming a Regional Clean Energy Hydrogen Hub.

Air Products said it has determined that the market demand warrants the investment in the project, assuming the receipt of certain local and state incentives as well as any benefits from the Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

The company said it is also investigating the feasibility of establishing a hydrogen fueling station network in the northeastern US. This would supply its own 2,000-strong truck fleet that it intends to convert to hydrogen fuel cell zero-emission vehicles.

Output from the low-carbon intensity liquid hydrogen product is expected to be sold to the mobility market in New York State as well as other potential northeast industrial markets. If all the hydrogen is used for the heavy-duty truck market, future climate benefits over the project’s lifetime would include avoiding more than six million t/y of CO₂, the Pennsylvania-based gases producer said.

Air Products’ chairman, president and CEO, Seifi Ghasemi, said the project designed to support New York’s energy transition program is another demonstration of the company’s leadership role in the low-carbon hydrogen and the hydrogen- for-mobility markets.

NYPA interim president and CEO Justin E. Driscoll added that in supporting Air Products' expansion the authority is furthering New York's aggressive climate goals and helping to advance the state's vision of becoming a regional hydrogen hub.

Author: Dede Williams, Freelance Journalist