MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, Sept. 15, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Next Hydrogen Solutions Inc. (“Next Hydrogen” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that it has secured a non-repayable contribution agreement with the Government of Canada through Natural Resources Canada’s Energy Innovation Program (NRCan) for funding of up to $2 million for additional research to develop scalable fabrication processes for commercial electrolyzer modules.

This funding will support R&D activities focused on improving the efficiency, performance and cost of Next Hydrogen’s commercial electrolyzer modules. As an initial project milestone, the Company is targeting cell performance of 1.8 V/cell at 1.0 A/cm² by Q1 2027, consistent with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) 2026 technical target for alkaline water electrolysis. The project’s ultimate performance target is 1.7 V/cell at 1.2 A/cm², targeted for achievement by September 2028.

The technologies developed through this project are expected to enhance the competitiveness of Next Hydrogen’s commercial products by lowering energy consumption and reducing the cost of green hydrogen production. As electricity accounts for 60–70% of hydrogen production operating costs, these efficiency gains are expected to reduce electricity consumption of its electrolyzer modules per kilogram of hydrogen produced by approximately 8% as well as reducing the cost of fabricating its electrolyzers.

We anticipate achieving the initial 1.8 V/cell at 1.0 A/cm² performance milestone by Q1 2027, with the project continuing toward the ultimate target of 1.7 V/cell at 1.2 A/cm² by September 2028.

“We are grateful for NRCan’s support of this important initiative,” said Jocelyne Moyer, President and CEO of Next Hydrogen. “This investment will help advance our electrolyzer technology to have performance levels aligned with the U.S. DOE/H2NEW long-term vision for alkaline water electrolysis while supporting lower hydrogen production costs for our customers. We expect the innovations developed through this project to be incorporated into our commercial electrolyzer platform in early 2027, further enhancing its efficiency and competitiveness. By improving project economics and making clean hydrogen more affordable, this initiative can help accelerate market adoption while reinforcing Canada's leadership in hydrogen innovation and the transition to a low-carbon economy.”

“Building Canada's energy future depends on building and scaling the technologies that will power our economy for decades to come. Investments in Canadian innovators like Next Hydrogen are strengthening our energy security, supporting growth and turning Canadian expertise into real-world solutions. By supporting innovation today, we are building the stronger, more competitive energy sector Canada needs for generations to come.” said the Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources.

About Next Hydrogen

Founded in 2007, Next Hydrogen is a designer and manufacturer of electrolyzers that use water and electricity to generate clean hydrogen for use as a clean energy source. Next Hydrogen’s unique cell design architecture supported by over 40 patents enables superior dynamic response to efficiently convert intermittent renewable electricity into green hydrogen on a commercial infrastructure scale.

Contact Information

Jocelyne Moyer, President and CEO
Email: jmoyer@nexthydrogen.com
Phone: 416-317-0566

www.nexthydrogen.com

Cautionary Statements

This news release contains “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements”. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as “expects”, or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, “plans”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “forecasts”, “estimates”, “believes” or “intends” or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results “may” or “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: the risks associated with the hydrogen industry in general; delays or changes in plans with respect to infrastructure development or capital expenditures; cell efficiency targets; expected order sizes for the product line; customer relationships and customer terms for testing of products at a customer site; the ability of the Corporation to optimize energy efficiencies; the Corporation’s available resources to grow its sales backlog; uncertainty with respect to the timing of any contemplated transactions or partnerships, or whether such contemplated transactions or partnerships will be completed at all; whether the uncertainty of estimates and projections relating to costs and expenses; failure to obtain necessary regulatory approvals; health, safety and environmental risks; uncertainties resulting from potential delays or changes in plans with respect to infrastructure developments or capital expenditures; currency exchange rate fluctuations; as well as general economic conditions, stock market volatility and the ability to access sufficient capital. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. Except as required by law, there will be no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change.