The Government of Ontario has announced a new round of its Hydrogen Innovation Fund (HIF) with an investment of $30 million. This funding doubles the amount allocated in the previous round and aims to support projects that advance hydrogen development to strengthen Ontario’s clean energy economy. The programme will also promote projects led by Canadian companies to enhance energy security and economic development. The fund is administered by the Independent Electricity System Operator.
The expanded HIF will operate through two funding streams. One stream will support projects that integrate low-carbon hydrogen into Ontario’s electricity grid, while the other will promote the use of hydrogen across sectors such as transportation, manufacturing, and heavy industry. This includes the development of hydrogen hubs, establishing links between hydrogen producers and consumers, and transitioning existing users to hydrogen produced within Ontario. Applications for both streams will close on February 11, 2026.
These initiatives are expected to promote cross-sectoral hydrogen applications and strengthen the province’s industrial base. Ontario’s Low-Carbon Hydrogen Strategy, launched in 2022, has already supported 15 hydrogen projects through $13.8 million in funding under the 2023 HIF round. The initiative aligns with the province’s long-term energy roadmap, Energy for Generations, which focuses on building a secure, resilient, and self-reliant energy system to sustain economic growth and competitiveness within the G7.
