Douglas PUD Commission Cuts Ribbon at Renewable Hydrogen Production Facility on National Hydrogen Day
Meaghan Vibbert
Public Information Officer
(509) 881-2221
News Release – October 9, 2025
East Wenatchee, Wash – Douglas County PUD Commissioners Molly Simpson, Aaron J. Viebrock and Ronald E. Skagen invited the community to learn about and see the renewable hydrogen production facility in Baker Flats. Under construction since March 2021, the District is close to commissioning the first renewable hydrogen production facility in the nation owned and operated by a public utility.
General Manager Gary Ivory welcomed the community to the event on National Hydrogen Day during Public Power Week, celebrating the benefits of both. When describing why the District took on this project Ivory said “How can we prepare our community to be ready for the policies changes the state has made? The investment in this plant not only produces a fuel but it helps us preserve our Wells Dam asset that is so important to our community.”
The pilot project will provide flexibility to Douglas PUD operations at their Wells Hydroelectric Project. Generation requests can be sent to the hydrogen electrolyzer to reduce the mechanical adjustments necessary at the Wells Hydroelectric Project to balance the grid. This will reduce the maintenance necessary on the turbine units and associated equipment.
Ivory went on to praise the innovation of the District, “Douglas PUD has a history of being innovative from building a dam on the Columbia River to stringing fiber optics around the county. We have been around for over 80 years with the authority to provide people with electricity. I don’t think 80 years ago they would have ever thought little Douglas PUD would be doing a cutting edge project like this. Dougals PUD has this built in innovation, it’s part of our DNA.”
Hydrogen is created by a process that separates the hydrogen and oxygen molecules in water through electrolysis. The 5 megawatt PEM electrolyzer is able to produce 2 metric tons of hydrogen a day at full capacity. The site is able to accommodate expansion if the pilot project is successful.
After Commissioners cut the ribbon, staff took questions from the community ranging from safety to economics to technical operations. Upon leaving the facility, the community could get an up-close look at a Toyota Mirai fuel cell car. The District opened the state’s first hydrogen fueling station at their East Wenatchee location in June 2025. PUD Commission President Molly Simpson mentioned “We are excited to bring this clean fuel option to the community in addition to the clean hydropower they can use to charge their EVs.”
Due to the industrial nature of hydrogen production, the facility is now closed to the public.
See all our hydrogen update videos on our YouTube Channel
Renewable Hydrogen Production Facility Groundbreaking
March 2021
Douglas County PUD Commissioners Aaron J. Viebrock, Molly Simpson and Ronald E Skagen moved the first shovels of dirt at the soon to be built renewable hydrogen production facility near Baker Flats, East Wenatchee today.
The 5MW pilot project will provide flexibility to Douglas PUD operations at their Wells Hydroelectric Project. Generation requests can be sent to the hydrogen electrolyzer to reduce the mechanical adjustments necessary at the Wells Hydroelectric Project to balance the grid. This will reduce the maintenance necessary on the turbine units and associated equipment.
“Douglas PUD has always been an innovator in the utility industry. As the state looks toward low and zero emission technologies, our customer-owners want their local PUD to be prepared for the future,” said Douglas PUD General Manager Gary Ivory.
This project has been in the works for several years with the first hurdle cleared with the passage of SB 5588 in 2019 authorizing PUD’s to produce and sell renewable hydrogen sponsored by Senator Hawkins and a $250,000 planning grant sponsored by Representative Steele.
Hydrogen is created by a process that separates the hydrogen and oxygen molecules in water through electrolysis. The process is energy intensive with about 80% of the input costs being electricity.
Site excavation is starting this week with anticipated delivery of the electrolyzer in late 2022. Connections of piping, electrical and water will follow with production of renewable hydrogen starting late 2024.