CRH2: Reeling It In – Turning Atlantic Canada’s Hydrogen Ambitions into Reality

Webinar Summary

Presented with the Atlantic Hydrogen Association

Atlantic Canada is quietly becoming one of Canada’s most active hydrogen regions, but the story is more nuanced than the headlines suggest.

On Thursday, May 28, Derek Estabrook from the Atlantic Hydrogen Alliance offered a practical, high-level overview of what’s actually taking shape across the Atlantic region: the hydrogen projects in development, the export ambitions driving much of the investment, and the domestic initiatives worth watching, including an early-stage heavy transportation hydrogen corridor.

What was covered:

The hydrogen projects currently in development across the Atlantic region
Export ambitions and the investment they’re attracting
Domestic initiatives worth watching, including an early-stage heavy transportation hydrogen corridor
Gaps in the ecosystem and what needs to happen to move projects forward
Key signals to watch over the next 12–24 months

Moderator

Zachary Cunningham

Calgary Region Hydrogen Hub Lead

Zachary (Zak) Cunningham is the Calgary Region Hydrogen Hub Lead at the Transition Accelerator. He holds an MSc in Sustainable Energy Development from the University of Calgary, a B.Eng (Hons) in Petroleum Engineering, and a diploma in Petroleum Engineering Technology. Zak began his career in the oil and gas industry in the field, having spent extensive time on drilling and workover rigs in Western Canada and deepwater offshore in Malaysia in various roles, leading him to spend nearly a decade living overseas in Southeast Asia. Zak strongly connects with his Métis culture and the Métis community within Alberta and is particularly interested in sustainable energy development in remote Northern communities.

Derek Estabrook

Executive Director, Atlantic Hydrogen Alliance (AHA)

Derek Estabrook is the Executive Director of the Atlantic Hydrogen Alliance (AHA). The AHA is a not-for-profit organization working to develop a thriving low-carbon hydrogen sector in Atlantic Canada. Prior to joining the AHA Derek was the Vice President of Business Development at Eastward Energy where he played a key role in advancing the company’s energy transition strategy including advocating for the use of low-carbon hydrogen to reduce GHG emissions in Nova Scotia. He has also played an important role supporting and promoting the work of the AHA since its inception in 2021, first as Chair of the Marketing & Communications Committee and most recently as Vice Chair of the AHA Board of Directors.

Before joining the energy industry Derek held senior food and beverage industry roles in sales, marketing, product innovation, and business development at PepsiCo, Agropur, Gatorade Canada, and Maple Leaf Foods. Derek holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Dalhousie University. He lives in Halifax where he is an avid runner, cyclist, cross country skier and outdoor enthusiast.

May 28, 2026