Leading hydrogen and fuel sector associations in Canada and Costa Rica announce MOU to promote collaboration

VANCOUVER and HEREDIA – The Canadian Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association (CHFCA) and the Hydrogen and the Costa Rica Hydrogen Association (ACH2) are pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to promote cooperation between Canada and Costa Rica in the commercial deployment of zero-emission hydrogen and fuel cell technologies.

The MOU outlines areas of collaboration between the Canadian and Costa Rican sectors which include stimulating opportunities for joint industry and research initiatives, supporting the development of hydrogen hubs, exchanging market intelligence and best practices for codes and standards, and addressing and overcoming common barriers to the production, distribution and storage of hydrogen.

“The MOU with ACH2 will foster collaboration between the hydrogen and fuel cell sectors in Costa Rica and Canada, thereby helping both countries achieve their climate goals, while also promoting international trade and supply chains,” says Mark Kirby, President and CEO of the CHFCA.

Javier Bonilla Herrera, President of ACH2 added, “This MOU represents a huge opportunity for ACH2 and we are keen to collaborate and share our knowledge with the CHFCA. Costa Rica is emerging as a key player in the global hydrogen value chain and we are determined to achieve the objectives embodied in this MOU.”

Recognized internationally as a global leader and pioneer in hydrogen and fuel cell research, development and commercialization, Canada is home to a significant concentration of hydrogen and fuel cell expertise that represents all elements within the supply chain.

As part of its efforts to combat climate change, Costa Rica launched an economy-wide plan in 2019 to decarbonize the country and achieve net-zero carbon neutrality by 2050. The plan aims to modernize and electrify public transport, support research on alternative fuels such as hydrogen, and expand the country’s extensive forests.

“This MOU will be a building block for the future constructive actions towards the incorporation of mutual cooperation for the public and private sectors in our countries,” says Mauricio Ortíz, Ambassador of Costa Rica to Canada.

The CHFCA and ACH2 represent world-leading companies and organizations in the global hydrogen and fuel cell sector and span the full supply chain ranging from fuel cell developers, hydrogen producers, vehicle manufacturers, components suppliers, academia, engineering and service providers, fuelling infrastructure and storage specialists, and more.

 

About the Canadian Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association (CHFCA)

The Canadian Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association (CHFCA) is a national, non-profit sector association that supports Canadian industry and research in the development, demonstration and deployment of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies in Canada and overseas.  Established in 2009, the CHFCA now has over 100 members across Canada, two regional branches in British Columbia (Hydrogen BC) and Quebec (Hydrogène Québec), and an Urban Transit Task Force.  The CHFCA’s members specialize in fuel cell stack development, hydrogen production, hydrogen fueling infrastructure, energy storage, vehicle manufacturing, components and materials, research, engineering and consulting. You can also follow the CHFCA on Twitter at @PoweringNow or visit www.chfca.ca for more information.

 

About the Costa Rican Hydrogen Association (ACH2)

The Costa Rican Hydrogen Association (ACH2) is a national non-profit organization who follow the next aim: Promote both; the development of hydrogen as an energy vector and the renewable energies in industrial, commercial and domestic applications, executing relevant actions to achieve this end and promoting initiatives and undertakings of companies and people, as well as development of R&D. Strengthening knowledge management, the socioeconomic evolution of its associates and of the Costa Rican Society in general. Since its foundation, ACH2 has been working on the formulation of a solid base that allows it to grow in a safe and transparent manner, seeking to achieve the purposes for which it was established. Therefore, we have dedicated ourselves to creating and fulfilling our values as an organization which are based on transparency, responsibility, quality, commitment, coherence and professionalism.