The Xaxli’p community resides in the Squamish-Lillooet region of B.C. in the Fountain Valley and is one of 11 communities that make up the St’at’imc Nation. The people of Xaxli’p (Xaxli’pmec) have lived in the region since time immemorial. On June 18, 2024, representatives of Salish Elements and Xaxli’p announced a vision to build a 25MW green hydrogen production facility, 51 percent owned by the Xaxli’p, through the Xaxli’p Development Limited Partnership.
The initial production site is a first step toward green, electrolytic hydrogen (hydrogen produced via renewable electricity and the electrolysis of water) making its way to the B.C. and North American market at a price rivaling diesel.
Kukpi7 (Chief) Darrell Bob, Working with the Water Spirit
Project Details:
The project is currently in the FEED (Front-end Engineering Design) state of development. The facility would use 25 MW of hydro power from the grid and 100,000 L of water a day to produce 10,000 KG of gaseous hydrogen, which then will be liquified to transport on trucks to fueling stations and other customers. The partners building this vision are still gathering at the table and currently involve:
Ensol systems – (EPCM) Engineering, Procurement, Construction Management
CRATOS – Project and Risk Management
Air Liquide – Liquefaction
Powertech – Fueling Infrastructure
SFU (FCReL) Fuel Cell Research Laboratory – Hydrogen Fuel Cell truck modeling
Mindful Architecture – Facility Design
Funding so far has been provided from New Relationship Trust (NRT) and private investment.
Industry of the Future – Holistic Design and Construction
The design of the site resembles a pit-house, which is a traditional style of building from the area. This design integrates intelligent, land based building structure with the technological and engineering needs of an industrial facility.
Notice in the above image how the facility blends into the landscape, reminiscent of the pit house below.
The project began with Xaxli’p Community Liaison, Howard Bob, who passed away suddenly in February of 2024. The team wanted to honor Howard, as he truly believed in the potential of green hydrogen to serve the Xaxli’p and worked diligently with the Salish Elements team to learn, gather feedback and share information with his community. To commemorate Howard and his contribution, the team proposed his traditional name be the official name of the production site: Tsaw’tsawa.
Why how we build matters
True ownership goes beyond the dollars and cents. It also includes incorporating social and cultural ownership to a project. By incorporating a pit-house design to the facility structure, we are sustaining the arid, grassy landscape while also strengthening social and cultural ties to the project – adding additional layers of ownership that can inspire curiosity, a sense of connection and greater participation in the project.
This design allows elements of the natural landscape to grow as part of the building and makes use of local materials which reduces environmental impacts commonly associated with new development such as imported steel and concrete.
Not Just Hydrogen
Salish Elements promotes full consideration for the supplementary benefits a project may provide a community, which is possible through our joint ownership model. For example, water treatment which is required to purify water can also be shared among the community, or facility heat can be recirculated into a greenhouse, strengthening food security. Both are key examples of how a green hydrogen project can serve the community beyond a strictly economic development lens. These conversations are just in the beginning stages with the community, but we are optimistic at the potential options we can envision and realize together.
We at Salish Elements look forward to a future of industry that considers people and their natural surroundings and works to serve both harmoniously. Check back for further updates as we complete FEED this year and enter construction in 2026.