UK HFCA working with Canadian HFCA to boost relationship and strengthen sector

The UK’s leading association dedicated to supporting stakeholders across the entire hydrogen value chain has bolstered its relationship with its Canadian counterpart by signing a Memorandum of Understanding.

The agreement establishes a partner relationship between the UK Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association (UK HFCA) and the Canadian Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association (CHFCA).

The aim is to build a practical platform for exchange and collaboration that will provide broad market benefits, with the aim of jointly promoting deployment efforts between Canada and the United Kingdom in the areas of hydrogen energy and fuel cell technology.

Over the next three years, the two organisations will work together to promote collaboration between the Canadian and UK sectors, and to explore mutually beneficial hydrogen and fuel cell technology and industry exchange and development.

The collaboration will include stimulating joint Canadian and UK commercial projects and sharing best practices in regards to hydrogen and fuel cell codes and regulations.

It will also explore common technology barriers to the production, distribution, storage and use of hydrogen as well as facilitating trade missions, conferences, exhibitions, workshops, webinars and meetings.

Members of the two associations will establish regular communications to exchange market intelligence and to identify various areas of potential collaboration between Canada and the United Kingdom – all aimed at promoting and strengthening the hydrogen and fuel cell sector in the two countries.

Celia Greaves, CEO of the UK HFCA, said: “We’re delighted to be able to further strengthen our relationship with our colleagues in Canada to help the UK establish a thriving hydrogen economy in the UK by 2030.

“Our members are looking forward to working together as part of this collaboration to build momentum in the crucial journey to net zero.”   

Ivette Vera-Perez, President and CEO of the CHFCA, said: “Canada’s hydrogen and fuel cell sector looks forward to working with our partners in the UK to advance hydrogen energy and spur government-industry engagement.

“Hydrogen is essential to decarbonizing Canada and UK’s transportation, industrial processing, and steel sectors while providing an economical and efficient choice for our citizens and industry.”

Lee Juby

Lee is an independent hydrogen and clean energy consultant and founder of Verray Consulting. He has worked in hydrogen, fuel cells and clean energy for more than 30 years, with experience spanning technology development, commercialisation, hydrogen infrastructure and business leadership.

Most recently, Lee was CEO of Fuel Cell Systems Ltd, where he led the business across its fuel cell and hydrogen refuelling activities. Prior to this, he spent eight years with UK fuel cell manufacturer Intelligent Energy, completing his time there as Chief Sales Officer. He led the global commercial team and supported the commercialisation of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies across automotive, power generation and aviation markets.

Lee’s involvement with hydrogen dates back to 1995, including early work supporting field trials of solid oxide fuel cell combined heat and power systems. Since then, his career has combined engineering, commercial leadership and the practical deployment of emerging clean energy technologies.

Through Verray Consulting, Lee now works independently with organisations across the hydrogen value chain, providing technical, commercial and strategic support.