Element Resources hydrogen plant plans are moving ahead in California, where the company is investing $1.85 billion to develop North America’s largest green hydrogen production facility.
The Lancaster Clean Energy Center (LCEC), located just north of Los Angeles, will combine on-site solar power and battery storage to enable 24/7 hydrogen production without relying on the electricity grid or external water sources.
“The LCEC will be powered fully by on-site solar energy and use groundwater from the aquifer under the land,” said Element Resources CEO Steve Meheen. The facility will use significantly less water than traditional agriculture, replacing former irrigation needs with industrial use that consumes just 15–20% of previous levels.
Scheduled to begin construction later this year, the 2,100-acre site is expected to produce 22,000 tons of green hydrogen annually, equivalent to 60,000 kilograms per day. The zero-carbon fuel will be used for heavy and medium-duty vehicles, public transportation, rail, ports, and power generation.
As part of the California Jobs First initiative, Governor Gavin Newsom announced the project will receive $30.5 million in tax credits.
Element Resources will own and operate the plant, working with the First Public Hydrogen Authority—a utility formed by the City of Lancaster and the City of Industry. Distribution will be handled by zero-emission hydrogen trucks.
Project partners include the ARCHES hydrogen hub, Center for Hydrogen Safety, California Transit Association, and the California Hydrogen Business Council.
Element Resources is also evaluating a second hydrogen facility in Boron, California, to support the state’s growing hydrogen infrastructure, which includes other developments like Avina Clean Hydrogen’s facility in Vernon.