Green Hydrogen Production Takes Center Stage in California with Lancaster Energy Center

Element Resources is getting ready to put Lancaster, California, on the map as a leader in green hydrogen. With a whopping $1.85 billion investment backing it, the company’s ambitious Lancaster Clean Energy Center is set to become the largest green hydrogen production facility in North America. By combining massive solar arrays, long-duration battery storage, and fully independent off-grid capabilities, this project is all about cutting emissions in the transportation and industrial sectors that are usually tough to electrify.

Project Snapshot: North America’s Future Hydrogen Hub

Sitting on as much as 2,100 acres of rural land in California’s Antelope Valley, this site will pump out around 22,000 tons of renewable hydrogen every year. The secret sauce? Clean solar energy driving electrolysis, all supported by industrial-scale batteries to keep everything running 24/7—no grid needed. The hydrogen is stored on-site in liquid form and will mostly be used for heavy-duty transport, public transit, and key industrial uses.

Why It’s a Big Deal: Climate Goals Meet Energy Independence

This isn’t just about checking boxes for California’s climate goals, which aim to slash emissions 40% below 1990 levels by 2030. It’s also about building an energy system that can stand on its own. By staying off-grid, the facility adds a layer of energy resilience—a big plus in a state wrestling with grid overloads, wildfire threats, and power reliability issues.

A City Transforms: From Farming to Future Fuels

With a population of about 173,000, Lancaster already has a solid track record in renewables, attracting solar companies for more than ten years. This time around, the shift is even more dramatic—swapping out water-hungry farming for a low-impact, water-efficient hydrogen project. In fact, the new plant will use just 15–20% of the water that agriculture once did, easing the load on local water supplies and aquifers.

The Tech Behind the Transformation

• Solar PV: Harvests solar energy to power the entire system.
• Battery Storage: Keeps the juice flowing even when the sun isn’t.
• Electrolyzers: Break down water into hydrogen and oxygen using solar electricity.
• Liquid Hydrogen Storage: Keeps the hydrogen safely stored and ready for shipping.

Why It Matters Nationally: Jobs, Investment & Clean Energy

This isn’t just good news for Lancaster—it’s a potential blueprint for clean energy projects across the country. The site is expected to create plenty of construction and operational jobs, boost local suppliers, and act as a magnet for future investments in the broader hydrogen infrastructure. The push also aligns with national incentives like the Inflation Reduction Act, which supports projects that boost domestic clean energy production.

At first, most of the hydrogen produced at the facility will be used locally and across the region—think trucking fleets, transit buses, and port equipment. But with built-in scalability, the site has the potential to serve industrial decarbonization efforts far beyond California’s borders.

Real-World Impact: More Than Just Lower Emissions

Here’s what the project expects to deliver, according to the company estimates:

• Over 200,000 tons of CO₂ emissions avoided every year.
• Cleaner air in a region that’s battled ozone pollution for years.
• Less groundwater usage compared to traditional farming on the same land.

Of course, no transformation is without its challenges. As the area shifts from agriculture to clean energy, care will be needed to make sure former landowners and residents are part of the process and local zoning stays community-friendly.

The City of Lancaster is leading the charge on permits and environmental reviews, making sure everything aligns with both city requirements and California’s CEQA standards.

What’s Next?

Construction is expected to kick off in mid-2025, with full operations targeted for 2027. As the cost of electrolyzers and green hydrogen production continues to drop, this isn’t just a one-off—it could be the first of many large-scale projects that reshape the industrial energy landscape.

Led by seasoned clean energy pros, Element Resources is staking its claim at the intersection of technology, policy, and scale. If all goes as planned, Lancaster won’t just be part of the zero-emission technology movement—it’ll help lead it.

About Element Resources

Element Resources is a U.S.-based developer focused on building out the green hydrogen economy. With multiple projects underway across North America, the company is on a mission to decarbonize transportation and industry through large-scale, solar-powered hydrogen production. The flagship Lancaster Clean Energy Center is just the beginning.