Josie Osborne, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation announces $2 million investment to establish the Battery Innovation Centre
The Province is charged up over its game-changing $2 million investment to establish the Battery Innovation Centre (BIC) at the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus (UBCO). This cutting-edge facility will put the Okanagan at the forefront of the booming battery sector, solidifying its role as a powerhouse in clean energy innovation.
“The Battery Innovation Centre at UBCO is a monumental leap forward for British Columbia’s clean energy sector,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation. “This project not only aligns with our vision for the electrification of the energy system but also promises to drive economic growth by fostering innovation and creating high-quality jobs. We are investing in the future of B.C., and the future is green.”
The BIC is set to supercharge B.C.’s economy by positioning the province as a leader in the critical minerals and global battery supply chain. By advancing technology in battery recycling, metal processing, and critical mineral mining, this initiative will create significant economic development opportunities, including high-tech jobs and partnerships with leading industries.
“We are grateful to the government of BC for this significant investment in the Battery Innovation Centre,” said UBCO Principal and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Dr. Lesley Cormack. “Effective energy storage is a critical element of a low carbon energy future and the work of our research team has already improved Canada’s battery supply chain. This investment will elevate that work even further by providing the necessary space to create and test battery prototypes on a larger scale.”
The BIC will be the first of its kind in Western Canada, serving as a critical hub for testing and scaling up next-generation battery technologies. It will support regional economic development, including battery recycling and metal processing in the Kootenays, battery manufacturing in the Lower Mainland, and critical mineral mining throughout B.C. By fostering academic-industry collaborations, the Centre will help secure B.C.’s position as a leader in the clean energy economy.
The new BIC, located within this hub, will further support CleanBC’s electrification goals and B.C.’s Critical Mineral Strategy. Using locally available materials like sulphur from mining and oil refineries and tellurium recycled from smelting wastes, the project follows a “circular battery economy” model, reducing reliance on overseas critical minerals, supporting North American energy security and strengthening domestic production.
Quick Facts:
- The innovators behind Innovative Clean Energy (ICE) Fund projects are on the leading edge, building connections, developing and demonstrating technology that will help B.C. transition to a low carbon economy.
- C. is home to a growing clean-energy sector that accounts for approximately 20% of Canada’s clean-technology firms.
- Since 2008, the ICE Fund has committed approximately $114 million to support pre-commercial clean-energy technology projects, clean-energy vehicles, research and development, and energy-efficiency programs.
- ICE partnerships have included the federal government agencies, universities, local government, First Nations and many emerging clean-technology companies and organizations throughout British Columbia.
Learn More:
To learn more about the Innovative Clean Energy Fund, visit:
https://www.gov.bc.ca/innovativecleanenergyfund
The CleanBC plan helps us reduce pollution and power our future with renewable energy: https://cleanbc.gov.bc.ca/
