Government Grant
Hydrogen Innovation Fund
Overview
The Hydrogen Innovation Fund (HIF) enables the IESO and project proponents to test existing and emerging technologies with a view to objectively determine how hydrogen resources can support reliability, affordability and sustainability.
To unlock hydrogen’s potential to drive economic growth, create jobs and support Ontario’s position as a leader in the clean energy economy, on March 31, 2025, the Ontario government announced the launch of the 2025 HIF with broader eligibility requirements, and an expanded budget of $30 million.
- 4.5/5.0
- Ontario. Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO)
- All levels
- Last updated 3 days ago
- English
Description
Overview
The Hydrogen Innovation Fund (HIF) enables the IESO and project proponents to test existing and emerging technologies with a view to objectively determine how hydrogen resources can support reliability, affordability and sustainability.
To unlock hydrogen’s potential to drive economic growth, create jobs and support Ontario’s position as a leader in the clean energy economy, on March 31, 2025, the Ontario government announced the launch of the 2025 HIF with broader eligibility requirements, and an expanded budget of $30 million.
Hydrogen Innovation Fund (HIF) 2025 Call Details
On July 31, the Minister of Energy and Mines directed the IESO to launch a $30 million Hydrogen Innovation Fund (HIF) call for applications in 2025 (the 2025 Call) which aims to support innovative hydrogen projects focused on two separate $15 million streams.
- Projects with direct electricity system benefits including the integration of low-carbon hydrogen into the electricity grid. Eligible projects would include hydrogen storage and generation, peaking generation capacity, supporting services, and long-term or seasonal storage of surplus renewable energy.
- Projects enabling broader energy and other sector applications including transportation, manufacturing and heavy industry. Eligible projects would include hydrogen production and storage for non-electricity applications, switching existing hydrogen users to low-carbon hydrogen produced in Ontario, creating hydrogen hubs, or the development of new methods to connect hydrogen producers with end-users.
The IESO is holding a stakeholder engagement on the 2025 Call, including eligibility and evaluation criteria, in October 2025 and will open the submission window in November 2025.