The Minister, who today ends a whistle-stop visit to Canada and the US visited the Hydrogen Village programme in Toronto. The private/public partnership of 38 organisations is leading the development, application and commercialisation of hydrogen and fuel-cell products and services across North America.

Mr Davies met several leading organisations and academics from the University of Toronto to explore possible collaborative opportunities between Canada and Wales for the development and commercial application of hydrogen fuel-cell technology.

The Canadian Hydrogen Village programme has a number of demonstration projects deploying various hydrogen production, storage and delivery techniques, as well as a number of proven commercial applications using the technology throughout Toronto.

One of these projects, based at the University of Toronto, Mississauga Campus, provides heat and electricity from hydrogen fuel-cell technology for accommodation for some of the 12,000 students based at the campus.

After the visit to the University of Toronto, the Minister met senior representatives from the Hydrogenics Corporation, a leading global developer of clean energy solutions, with extensive experience in the development, manufacture and integration of multi-user hydrogen infrastructure products.

Hydrogenics is playing a key role in the commercialisation of hydrogen and fuel cell products, and has developed a range of commercial hydrogen-based products, from forklift trucks to hydrogen powered public transport.

The Minister also visited the Purolator dispatch centre, a Toronto-based parcel delivery company, and another partner in the Hydrogen Village programme. Purolator uses hydrogen fuel cell technology to run part of its fleet of delivery vehicles, not only giving the company considerable cost and environmental benefits over traditional fuels, but also providing the company with a distinctive marketing selling point.

Rymal Smith, manager for the Hydrogen Village programme, said, "We were delighted to meet with the Minister to learn about he extensive work already under way across Wales in renewable energy technologies, and to discuss possible areas of collaboration between Wales and the Hydrogen Village programme in Canada.

"The best way to develop sustainable markets for these sustainable energy technologies is by working in collaboration with partners, such as the Welsh Assembly Government, to determine commercial applications for this technology which offer real value.

"We very much look forward to developing a long and rewarding relationship with the hydrogen industry within Wales."

Mr Davies said, "The Hydrogen Village programme is a remarkable and ambitious project with clear synergies between Wales and our Hydrogen Valley project [planned for Carmarthenshire].

The visit not only provided the opportunity to strengthen research and commercial links between Wales and Canada, but to actively explore how both countries can collaborate to develop and benefit from this exciting technology."