First Mode Awarded by WA Department of Commerce to Renovate former Coal Mine

The Department of Commerce awarded a $250,000 grant from the state economic development strategic reserve fund to First Mode, a global carbon reduction company that developed the world’s largest hydrogen-powered haul truck. The First Mode Proving Grounds at a former coal mine leased from TransAlta “will help the company accelerate the transition to clean energy for heavy industry, while supporting new uses for the infrastructure at the former mine site,” according to Commerce.

“Following the successful deployment of a proof-of-concept hydrogen mine haul truck at Anglo American’s platinum mine in Mogalakwena, South Africa in May 2022, First Mode leased land and office space at the TransAlta Centralia Mine and announced plans in October for the proving grounds. First Mode manufactures its proprietary hybrid fuel cell battery powerplants in Seattle, where the company was founded in 2018.”