Canadian carbon-removal firm Deep Sky (Montreal) announced that Deep Sky Alpha, Canada’s first carbon-removal commercialization center, located in Innisfail, Alberta. has officially begun operations, marking the successful start of carbon removal and North America’s first-ever sequestration of CO₂ captured directly from the atmosphere.
Located on 5 acres in an industrial park in Innisfail, Alberta, Deep Sky Alpha went from breaking ground to operational in just 12 months, demonstrating rapid deployment of climate infrastructure. The facility brings together multiple direct air capture (DAC) technologies, enabling scale, speed, and innovation. Alpha allows for real-world operations and optimization of multiple technologies under identical conditions, accelerating the industry’s path to cost-effective, scalable carbon removal. A DAC unit developed by Skyrenu pulled CO₂ directly from the atmosphere and, in partnership with Deep Sky, permanently stored it underground.
“This is a defining moment, not just for Deep Sky, but for the global carbon removal industry,” said Alex Petre, Deep Sky CEO. “In just one year, we went from breaking ground to pulling carbon from the sky and locking it underground for good. Companies around the world are looking for high-quality, durable carbon removal to offset carbon footprints. With Deep Sky Alpha, we’re proving that it’s not only possible, it’s here.”
Deep Sky Completes North America’s First CO₂ Storage via Direct Air Capture (Source: Deep Sky)
With this milestone, Deep Sky Alpha becomes the first DAC facility in North America to sequester CO₂ underground. The CO₂ captured at Deep Sky Alpha is permanently stored underground in deep geological formations called saline aquifers, which are abundant in Alberta, making it a key solution for hard-to-abate emissions and net zero commitments.
“Alberta continues to lead the way in attracting world-class innovation and this is an example of another company that has chosen Alberta because of our skilled workforce, strong regulatory system, and commitment to responsible development,” said Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas. “We’re proud to see companies investing here — and proving once again that Alberta is the best place in the world to build, innovate, and grow.”
“We’re incredibly proud to lead the way as the first Quebec-based DAC technology to capture CO₂ for permanent storage in North America,” said Gabriel Vézina, Skyrenu CEO. “Our partnership with Deep Sky is a powerful example of how to accelerate DAC to climate-relevant scale. Deep Sky’s ability to integrate the full value chain—from CO₂ capture to sequestration—perfectly complements Skyrenu’s focus on designing and producing high-performance DAC units. Together, we can deliver impactful projects faster, generate high-quality carbon removal, and set a new benchmark for the industry. This first win proves that we have the model to lead the way in Canada and beyond.”
Captured CO₂ comes from multiple Direct Air Capture units on site from all around the world – with additional units being installed this fall and room for up to 10 units total. Featured units that are currently commissioning include UK based Airhive and Mission Zero Technologies, and Quebec based Skyrenu. Subsequent DAC units will be installed this fall and winter.
Skyrenu’s DAC unit was deployed at Deep Sky Alpha, the world’s first cross-technology carbon removal centre powered by solar energy. With the capacity to remove 50 tons of carbon dioxide per year, Skyrenu’s DAC unit is among a select group of technologies chosen to capture CO2 at Deep Sky Alpha. Deep Sky selected Skyrenu’s technology for its potential to deliver low-cost CO₂ capture. Designed to accelerate the path from prototype to commercialization, Alpha enables leading carbon removal developers to validate, scale, and generate high-quality carbon removal credits in a real-world environment.
Deep Sky Alpha’s strategic location in Innisfail, Alberta provides access to renewable power and proximity to permanent geological storage. The facility, entirely powered by solar energy, will capture 3,000 tons of CO₂ annually. The project has generated more than 110 construction jobs and will employ approximately 15 full-time operators. Monitoring of Alpha’s capture and sequestration progress will be conducted on an ongoing basis using proprietary software and be available on Deep Sky’s website.
Deep Sky Alpha represents the first step in a worldwide carbon removal effort being developed by Deep Sky, with large-scale projects already underway across Alberta, Quebec, and beyond. The milestone builds on Deep Sky’s recent $40 million grant from Breakthrough Energy Catalyst and carbon removal credit purchase agreements with buyers including Microsoft and Royal Bank of Canada.