Calgary’s leadership in clean technology innovation just received a major boost. Last week, the federal government announced over $8.3 million in funding for 13 Alberta-based initiatives, with two cornerstone investments aimed squarely at advancing Calgary’s role in the energy transition.
The Energy Transition Centre in downtown Calgary—a hub for clean tech startups, researchers, and some of Canada’s largest energy firms—will receive $2 million to expand operations and deepen its impact.
Located in The Ampersand building, the Centre has quickly become a focal point for collaborations between academia, industry, and investors. The new funding builds on a previous $2.1 million contribution from PrairiesCan and will allow the Centre to support more ventures, scale up programming, and accelerate the commercialization of clean energy technologies.
Meanwhile, the newly announced Calgary Region Hydrogen Hub will receive $1.5 million to help position Calgary as a key player in the growing hydrogen economy. By connecting with established hubs in Edmonton and Vancouver, the initiative aims to strengthen Alberta’s hydrogen value chain and enable the region to serve both domestic and international markets. An additional $50,000 will fund a feasibility study for launching a similar hydrogen hub in Grande Prairie.
“These investments are about future-proofing Alberta’s economy,” said the Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, during Thursday’s announcement. “By supporting clean technologies and regional innovation, we’re ensuring that Albertans can thrive in both traditional and emerging sectors.”
The federal investment aligns with the Green Prairie Economy Framework, which promotes sustainable innovation across the prairies through regional leadership and collaboration.
Beyond Calgary, the announcement includes over $1.6 million to support renewable energy initiatives in Indigenous communities, $1.8 million in repayable funding to help Calgary-based FulcrumAir scale its UAV and robotics solutions globally, and $1.3 million for projects focused on clean tech mentorship, commercialization, and training.
In total, the initiatives are expected to support approximately 240 jobs across Alberta.
“Alberta has the raw materials, the talent, and the entrepreneurial spirit,” Minister Anand added. “What we’re doing is unlocking that potential in a way that benefits both the economy and the environment.”
As Calgary continues to diversify its energy sector, the Energy Transition Centre and Calgary Region Hydrogen Hub are proving to be vital pillars of a cleaner, more competitive future.