ATCO EnPower, a division of Canadian Utilities Limited, and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) have completed the construction of two hydrogen production and locomotive-fuelling facilities in Calgary and Edmonton.

The facilities are now fully operational, marking a significant step toward integrating hydrogen as a sustainable fuel source for freight rail transportation in Canada.

“These fuelling facilities are an important part of advancing the ongoing testing of our hydrogen locomotives and advancing the development of our industry-leading program working toward a lower-carbon transportation future,” said Kyle Mulligan, CPKC’s assistant vice-president of operations technology.

The Calgary and Edmonton facilities were engineered, procured, and constructed by ATCO EnPower, which has also signed an agreement to oversee operations at both locations. Each facility is equipped with a one-megawatt electrolyzer, along with compression, storage, and dispensing systems designed specifically for refuelling hydrogen-powered locomotives.

In Calgary, the electrolyzer is partially powered by renewable electricity generated by CPKC’s five-megawatt solar power facility, which is co-located at its headquarters. This integration of solar energy underscores both companies’ commitment to sustainable energy solutions, said ATCO Enpower and CKPC.

“This advancement marks significant progress in utilizing hydrogen as a fuel source for commercial transportation and reflects ATCO EnPower’s commitment to building a sustainable future by providing innovative energy solutions for our customers,” said Mark Brown, executive vice-president of projects and operations at ATCO EnPower.

The facilities will play an important role in CPKC’s hydrogen-locomotive program, which involves retrofitting several diesel locomotives with hydrogen fuel cells to eliminate direct emissions. The company aims to leverage hydrogen as part of a cleaner, more efficient freight-rail system, with these new fuelling stations serving as a model for future projects across Canada.

ATCO EnPower, a leader in the energy transition, specializes in renewable energy, carbon capture and storage, hydrogen solutions, and energy storage. With operations across North America, the Calgary-based company is dedicated to creating a more sustainable energy landscape.

CPKC, headquartered in Calgary, is the only single-line transnational railway linking Canada, the United States, and Mexico. The company operates approximately 20,000 route miles and employs 20,000 workers.