Canada's burgeoning hydrogen and fuel cell industry has been exhibiting signs of dynamic growth since 2002 and helping to push forward the development of a hydrogen economy, according to an industry report released yesterday.

Based on information compiled by Industry Canada and PricewaterhouseCoopers, the sale of Canadian developed and constructed fuel cell products, including clean vehicular innovations on the domestic market have increased by a massive 87 per cent since 2002.

Overall revenue for the sector has grown by a substantial 40 per cent during this same period reflecting the growing importance of clean, renewable energy and alternative fuel systems to an environmentally conscientious public.

Leading companies such as Stuart Energy Systems Corp and Hydrogenics Corp, both based in Mississauga, Toronto and specialising in a range of fuel cell products such as hydrogen fuelling and storage systems, have helped to lead the way in terms of industry growth.

And the growth trend looks set to continue with a number of hydrogen and fuel cell developments in the pipeline.

Within Canada itself there are a number of hydrogen highway and village concepts currently undergoing final planning and construction, while on a global scale there are no less than 262 hydrogen-related projects operating that involve Canadian companies and researchers.

Canadian industry minister David Emerson commented on the report on the third day of the Hydrogen and Fuel Cells 2004 trade conference being held in Toronto.

The minister said the report showed a "dynamic" industry in Canada, "with strong evidence of the commercialization of these technologies, the next step in the evolution of this important sector".