EDF Renewables Partners with Skytree and Return Carbon to Build Texas' First Wind-Powered DAC Park

EDF Renewables North America is taking a major step toward large-scale carbon removal with its latest project in Texas. The company has teamed up with Skytree and Return Carbon to develop a direct air capture (DAC) technology park, designed to remove 500,000 tonnes of CO2 annually.

Set to launch in 2028, this cutting-edge DAC park will be the first in Texas powered by wind energy, making it a milestone project in renewable-powered carbon capture.

>> In Other News: World’s First Carbon Removal Plant Powered Directly by Wind Planned

The Companies Behind the Project

EDF Renewables North America selected its partners through a Request-For-Proposal process in 2024. Now, with the agreement finalized, Skytree, Return Carbon, and Verified Carbon are gearing up to bring large-scale DAC facilities to life.

Each company plays a key role:

Skytree: Innovating DAC Technology

Skytree is providing its Stratus DAC units, which are built to capture CO2 directly from the atmosphere. The company’s modular technology makes it possible to scale DAC solutions efficiently while integrating seamlessly with renewable energy sources.

Return Carbon: Leading Project Development

Return Carbon is bringing its expertise in developing and managing carbon removal projects, ensuring the DAC park operates at maximum efficiency. With extensive experience in large-scale sustainability projects, the company is helping streamline deployment and execution.

Verified Carbon: Managing CO2 Storage

Captured CO2 will be permanently stored in geological sites in the Gulf Coast region, thanks to Verified Carbon’s expertise in underground carbon sequestration. This process locks CO2 away safely, preventing it from re-entering the atmosphere.

Powering DAC with Renewable Energy

A major highlight of this project is its reliance on wind energy. EDF Renewables will supply excess renewable power from its wind farms to operate the DAC units.

This strategy ensures the carbon removal process remains cost-effective, energy-efficient, and truly sustainable. By co-locating DAC operations behind the meter, EDFR is able to stabilize energy costs while reducing market fluctuations.

The Financial Model: Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs)

To support the project’s long-term viability, Return Carbon and EDFR have executed a Term Sheet for delivering renewable power to the DAC park. This agreement is structured around a behind-the-meter Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), which provides:

• Price stability for renewable energy use
  
• Upside potential during peak electricity pricing
  
• Revenue optimization for EDF Renewables’ wind farms
  
• Competitive access to energy for DAC operations
  

The Bigger Picture: Scaling DAC for a Sustainable Future

"A key part of EDF Renewables’ strategy is to drive progress by accelerating the shift towards decarbonization," said Gabe Messercola, Associate Director, Capital Improvements at EDF Renewables. "Direct Air Capture (DAC) can play a key role in the creation of a sustainable energy future, but the industry needs to scale quickly."

He added, "Co-locating DAC development behind the meter will optimize renewable energy production, reduce exposure to power market fluctuations, and foster the growth of both industries."

This partnership is not just about building a DAC park—it’s about proving that large-scale carbon removal can be efficient, cost-effective, and fully powered by renewables. As the world pushes for more aggressive climate action, EDF Renewables, Skytree, and Return Carbon are demonstrating what’s possible when innovation meets sustainability.

By integrating direct air capture with renewable energy, this Texas-based initiative is paving the way for the future of carbon removal at scale.