How Will Canada’s $200 Million Investment Revolutionize Carbon Capture?
The federal government-backed Canada Growth Fund (CGF) has revealed plans to invest a sizeable $200 million in Entropy, a well-known Calgary-based developer that specializes in carbon capture and sequestration projects. This is a significant step towards furthering carbon capture and sequestration initiatives.
The investment package comes hand in hand with a fixed-price carbon credit purchase agreement, allowing for the acquisition of up to one million tonnes per year. According to a news release on Wednesday, the terms of the off-take arrangement, in terms of scale and duration, are deemed a “global first in compliance markets.” This strategic move aims to stimulate private investment by establishing much-needed price certainty in the market.
Carbon capture technology, integral in the reduction of emissions from large industrial sources, involves the extraction of CO2 and subsequent injection deep underground. This investment is particularly pivotal for Canada’s oil and gas sector, which is counting on this technology to mitigate emissions. The federal government is gearing up to impose a cap on pollution from fossil fuel production in 2026.
While carbon capture technology has been touted as a key player in the fight against climate change, recent skepticism has been raised by the International Energy Agency and S&P Global Commodity Insights regarding its immediate impact.
In response to the investment, Patrick Charbonneau, President, and CEO of CGF, highlighted Canada’s advantageous position for fostering a robust carbon capture and storage (CCS) industry. He stated, “With its abundance of natural resources, access to high-quality geological storage, and sophisticated engineering know-how, Canada is the best place in the world to build a CCS industry.”
The Canada Growth Fund, with a substantial financial might of $15 billion, operates as an arm’s length public investment vehicle, strategically launched by the federal government to attract private capital and bolster Canada’s clean energy sector.
Entropy, the recipient of this significant investment, is primarily owned by Advantage Energy (AAV.TO), a major player in the natural gas and light oil production sector with a considerable presence in Alberta’s Montney region.
Entropy’s CEO, Mike Belenkie, emphasized the positive implications of the announced deal for the rapid deployment of the company’s technology in Canada amid the global imperative to lower emissions. He expressed confidence in Canada’s role, stating, “We believe our projects are likely to advance much more quickly in Canada than any other country in the world.”
This substantial investment by CGF follows a noteworthy $300 million deal with Toronto-based Brookfield Asset Management (BAM.TO)(BAM) in the preceding March. The commitment of funds from multiple sources underscores the shared vision and commitment to accelerating the growth of carbon capture and sequestration projects, contributing to the reduction of emissions on a significant scale.
As the world grapples with the urgency of climate action, investments of this magnitude in cutting-edge technologies are poised to play a pivotal role in shaping a sustainable and low-carbon future. The collaboration between the public and private sectors in Canada reflects a concerted effort to lead in the global transition toward cleaner energy solutions.