Canada breaks ground on nation's largest carbon capture project

Canada took a step toward net-zero emissions goals with the launch Wednesday of construction on what is expected to become the country's largest carbon capture and storage (CCS) project.

Ottawa and Alberta, together with Enhance Energy, broke ground on the Origins carbon capture and storage hub near Clive, Alberta, set to become the nation’s largest carbon capture facility.

In a statement, Natural Resources Canada said the hub is expected to begin operations in January 2027 and will initially store up to 1.5 million tons of CO2 annually, equivalent to removing more than 500,000 cars from the road each year, with capacity to expand over time.

The project will connect to Alberta's existing CO2 transportation network and initially serve industrial facilities in the province's Industrial Heartland, supporting sectors including oil and gas, petrochemicals, cement and power generation, the statement said.

It builds on Enhance Energy's existing carbon capture project in Clive, which has stored more than 9 million tons of CO2 since 2020 and generated over $600 million in economic activity, according to the company.

Energy and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson said the project shows how "the federal and provincial governments and industry are working together as one Team Canada to build big things in this country again and to make sure every Canadian benefits from a stronger, cleaner, more competitive economy."

Alberta Minister of Energy and Minerals Brian Jean said the hub "will help ensure Alberta produces the most responsible oil and gas in the world while creating investment and jobs in rural Alberta."

Enhance Energy Vice President Candice Paton said the project shows "CCS is a right-now technology” that can deliver both economic growth and emissions reduction.