Canada is emerging as a potential leader in white hydrogen, after scientists confirmed that naturally occurring hydrogen gas beneath the country’s ancient rock formations could become a new source of clean energy.
Researchers from the University of Toronto found that underground rocks near the historic Timmins mining region in Ontario naturally produce hydrogen over long periods. Their study estimates that nearly 15,000 boreholes at the site could generate more than 140 metric tonnes of hydrogen annually, enough to produce approximately 4.7 million kilowatt-hours of energy each year and power more than 400 homes.
The exploration company MAX Power reported Canada’s first successful hydrogen exploration well drilled specifically to target white hydrogen. At its Lawson project in Saskatchewan, the company identified hydrogen concentrations up to 28%, along with commercially valuable helium.
Unlike grey hydrogen, produced from fossil fuels, or green hydrogen, which requires renewable electricity, white hydrogen occurs naturally underground through chemical reactions between rocks and groundwater. Scientists believe it could offer a cleaner and potentially more affordable energy source with lower infrastructure requirements.
Researchers say Canada is particularly well-positioned because vast areas of the Canadian Shield contain the geological conditions needed to generate natural hydrogen. Similar rock formations are also found in mining regions across Ontario, Quebec, Nunavut, and the Northwest Territories.
Experts believe white hydrogen could reduce emissions across Canada’s mining sector while providing reliable energy for remote communities that currently depend on imported fuels. The findings also suggest similar underground hydrogen resources may exist in other parts of the world, opening new opportunities for clean energy development.
