Deep Sky has announced plans to develop its next carbon-removal facility in Southwestern Manitoba.

If all goes according to plan, the proposed facility will rank among the world’s largest carbon-removal facilities and be capable of removing 500,000 tonnes of carbon-dioxide annually from the atmosphere.

Plans call for the facility to be built in phases with the first, capable of removing 30,000 tonnes, to begin in 2026. The initial phase would represent a $200-million investment, providing construction and operational jobs, opportunities for local business and suppliers, and indirect jobs and economic opportunity, said Deep Sky.

 “What Deep Sky is building in Manitoba isn’t just one of the world’s largest carbon removal facilities,” said Alex Petre, Deep Sky’s CEO. “It’s the foundation of an industry that will reshape our economy and our planet.

“Canada has the opportunity to become the carbon-removal capital of the world, and capture the jobs and economic opportunity that will come with it,” she added.

The location has not been finalized yet. Deep Sky said it is evaluating a number of potential sites capable of hosting a single project to start and has commenced discussions with municipal, Indigenous and other organizations.

The company said Southwestern Manitoba is an ideal location in which to grow the carbon-removal industry and establish a presence in the province. The region has “ideal” geological formations in which to store underground carbon-dioxide safely and effectively. In addition, the provincial government’s clean hydroelectric grid provides abundant renewable energy that is essential for powering the removal technology.

Deep Sky also announced that it has secured support from the Dakota Ground Council by working with the Dakota Nations of Manitoba and have signed a declaration of relationship that could lead to investment and other partnership opportunities.

“Our Dakota long term economic development strategy is to partner with and invest in sectors that align with our vision of a sustainable [future],” said Raymond Brown, chief of the Canupawakpa Dakota Nation. “Deep Sky leadership clearly share that vision, along with some of North America’s largest and most innovative companies.”

The company’s plan to expand into Manitoba comes after it began operations at its newly completed Alpha carbon-removal facility in Innisfail, Alta. According to Deep Sky, the Innisfail project is the world’s first carbon-removal and commercialization centre.

Deep Sky completed the project, from land lease to construction completion, in less than a year.

Rendering: Deep Sky