A major climate technology project is set to anchor Canada’s position in the global fight against climate change, with plans announced for a massive Direct Air Capture (DAC) facility in Southwestern Manitoba. The project, named Deep Sky Manitoba, is designed to eventually remove up to 500,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide () from the atmosphere annually, placing it among the largest carbon removal sites in the world.
Montreal-based carbon removal developer Deep Sky is leading the initiative, which will be built in multiple phases. Construction on the initial phase—with an expected capacity of of per year and representing an investment exceeding $200 million—is scheduled to begin in 2026.
Southwestern Manitoba was selected due to its unique combination of resources crucial for scaling DAC technology:
- Geological Suitability: The region possesses ideal underground deep saline formations for the permanent and safe sequestration of the captured .
- Clean Energy: The facility will be powered by Manitoba’s abundant hydroelectric grid, ensuring the energy-intensive carbon removal process operates with near-zero emissions.
- Supportive Policy: The provincial government has enacted legislation to enable storage, creating a favorable regulatory environment for the emerging industry.
Alex Petre, CEO of Deep Sky, stated that the project is “the foundation of an industry that will reshape our economy and our planet,” adding that Canada has the opportunity to become the “carbon removal capital of the world.”
The development also includes a collaboration with the Dakota Grand Council, formalizing a relationship to explore investment and partnership opportunities for Indigenous economic participation.
Once fully scaled, the 500,000-tonne capacity facility is expected to significantly advance global carbon removal efforts, offering a large-scale solution for addressing residual and legacy emissions.
