PASADENA, Calif. & LANCASTER, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Heliogen, Inc. (“Heliogen”) (NYSE: HLGN), a leading provider of AI-enabled concentrating solar energy technology, today announced the execution of a definitive contract with The City of Lancaster, California (“The City” or “Lancaster”) to produce green hydrogen to be purchased by Lancaster for the city’s growing green hydrogen fuel needs. The partnership represents Lancaster’s first hydrogen offtake agreement.
The green hydrogen will be produced at Heliogen’s Proxima hydrogen facility in Lancaster and will leverage Heliogen’s innovative technology using AI and advanced computer vision software to concentrate sunlight with mirrors, producing carbon-free hydrogen with significant economic development potential. As part of the agreement, Heliogen will provide green hydrogen to the City and will certify its carbon intensity, a measure of the CO2 emitted per kilogram of hydrogen produced. Proxima could ultimately help support other projects within the city and region, including sustainable aviation fuel, and sales and distribution of hydrogen fuel for industrial processes such as long-haul trucking, cement, and mining.
The agreement between Heliogen and Lancaster builds upon the previously announced MOU between the parties to establish a clean hydrogen generation facility, and is expected to contract hydrogen conforming to SAE J2719 hydrogen fuel cell vehicle specifications at a $10/kg offtake price. The wholesale-level price represents significant cost savings for the city amid rapidly increasing prices at hydrogen filling stations across California, with the average hydrogen pump price reaching an all-time high of $21.28/kg in November 2022, according to data provided to Hydrogen Insight by S&P Global Commodity Insights.
The collaboration furthers the City’s vision to become a model and leader for hydrogen as a clean, alternative energy source for municipalities. Lancaster, the nation’s first city to embrace hydrogen power, is an inaugural winner of the U.S. Department of Energy’s H2 Twin Cities Initiative.
“We are excited to advance our strategic relationship with The City of Lancaster and support its needs for green hydrogen fuel at scale,” said Christie Obiaya, Chief Executive Officer at Heliogen. “This agreement underscores the incredible potential to rapidly develop and commercialize green hydrogen as a key pathway for a decarbonized economy. I am proud of the Heliogen team for its work to demonstrate the value of our patented breakthrough technology to produce cost-effective green hydrogen, which will accelerate adoption of this critical, multi-use form of clean fuel all over the world.”
“As America’s first hydrogen city, Lancaster is proud to pioneer innovative solutions to drive change and decarbonize our economy,” said R. Rex Parris, Mayor, City of Lancaster.“Heliogen’s unique ability to create carbon-free hydrogen holds immense promise to fuel our municipal fleet at the lowest carbon intensity. Hydrogen is the future and we invite other cities to join us on the path to decarbonization as a way to tackle climate change.”
Heliogen has completed preliminary configuration designs and secured a site for Proxima.
ABOUT HELIOGEN
Heliogen is a renewable energy technology company focused on decarbonizing industry and empowering a sustainable civilization. The company’s concentrating solar energy and thermal storage systems aim to deliver carbon-free heat, steam, power, or green hydrogen at scale to support round-the-clock industrial operations. Powered by AI, computer vision and robotics, Heliogen is focused on providing robust clean energy solutions that accelerate the transition to renewable energy, without compromising reliability, availability, or cost. For more information about Heliogen, please visit heliogen.com
ABOUT THE CITY OF LANCASTER
Lancaster is a diverse community of nearly 170,000, leading the future through science, technology, art, culture, and collaboration. Home to astronauts, rocket scientists, families, and innovative businesses large and small, we are leading the USA with innovation. Combined with spectacular landscapes and clean air, Lancaster has the confidence, expertise, spirit, and imagination to transform tomorrow. We are: Creating a better tomorrow. Together. Visit us at www.cityoflancasterca.gov.
The City of Lancaster, California, was the first United States city to embrace hydrogen power, earning the moniker of the “First Hydrogen City.” The City has engaged in numerous formal partnerships and agreements to harness the potential of clean hydrogen. Lancaster is jumpstarting hydrogen adoption throughout the Antelope Valley and southern California.
Forward-Looking Statements Related to Heliogen
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements that are not historical in nature, including the words “anticipate,” “expect,” “suggests,” “plan,” “believe,” “intend,” “estimates,” “targets,” “projects,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “may,” “will,” “forecast” and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding expectations for Proxima to help support other projects within the city and region, including sustainable aviation fuel, and sales and distribution of hydrogen fuel for industrial processes. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including but not limited to: (i) our financial and business performance, including risk of uncertainty in our financial projections and business metrics and any underlying assumptions thereunder; (ii) changes in our business and strategy, future operations, financial position, estimated revenues and losses, projected costs, prospects and plans; (iii) our ability to execute our business model, including market acceptance of our planned products and services and achieving sufficient production volumes at acceptable quality levels and prices; (iv) our ability to maintain listing on the New York Stock Exchange; (v) our ability to access sources of capital to finance operations, growth and future capital requirements; (vi) our ability to maintain and enhance our products and brand, and to attract and retain customers; (vii) our ability to scale in a cost effective manner; (viii) changes in applicable laws or regulations; (ix) developments and projections relating to our competitors and industry; and (x) our ability to protect our intellectual property. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the “Risk Factors” section in Part I, Item 1A in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the annual period ended December 31, 2022 and other documents filed by Heliogen from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and Heliogen assumes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.