Innisfail Chosen for a Global First in Carbon Removal Innovation

Deep Sky Labs is building a carbon removal innovation and commercialization centre that is expected to invest more than $110 million in the community

INNISFAIL – This month ground will break on five acres of land in the new Southwest Industrial Park in Innisfail for a global first.

Deep Sky Labs, a Canadian carbon removal project developer, is constructing the world’s first carbon removal innovation and commercialization centre.

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The 217,000-square-foot construction project is valued at $50 million on five acres of land secured through a lease-to-own agreement with the Town of Innisfail.

The company said in a news release issued Wednesday that the new centre is expected to infuse an investment of more than $110 million in the Innisfail community over the next 10 years.

The company said in the release that construction for the new development will generate 80 jobs, with another 15 for annual operations.

The new build by Deep Sky Labs adds to the town’s growing reputation for being a growing hub in the clean energy sector with Varme’s plan to build a $200 million waste to energy plant, and the town’s soon-to-be-constructed $4 million municipal solar farm.

The news release from Deep Sky Labs added the facility will be operational this winter and will have the capacity to capture 3,000 tons of CO2 per year, or 30,000 tons over a 10-year period, via up to 10 different technologies.

There will also be room for future expansion, said the news release.

"I cannot overstate the significance of the world's first carbon removal innovation and commercialization centre, and what this means for Canada and our planet at large," said Damien Steel, chief executive officer for Deep Sky. "This project represents a world first and serves as a testing ground from which the nascent industry can grow into Canada's multi-trillion-dollar enterprise.

“We're in the business of scaling carbon removals, and this first facility represents a giant step forward for the health of our planet and our economy,” he added. “Prioritizing quality and speed, we're proud that this facility went from concept to construction in less than a year."

In the same media release, Town of Innisfail Mayor Jean Barclay said the municipality is “thrilled” to work with Deep Sky on the innovative project.

"To have a company of this magnitude who is on the leading edge of carbon removal technology located in Innisfail is truly exciting for us,” said Barclay in the news release.

“The selection of Innisfail by Deep Sky speaks volumes to our business readiness, our willingness to respond at a pace that is necessary in today's business environment, and our vision for a new state-of-the-art industrial park."