Project Concho: Pioneering Direct Air Capture with Wind Power

A New Standard for Carbon Removal

Return Carbon and Verified Carbon have announced Project Concho, a first-of-its-kind Direct Air Capture (DAC) hub in Tom Green County, Texas. This facility will be the world’s first DAC hub powered entirely by wind energy. By combining cutting-edge DAC technology with onsite geological carbon storage, the project aims to remove 50,000 tons of CO₂ annually by 2030, with plans to scale up to 500,000 tons per year.

“Project Concho is a significant step forward in scaling up DAC,” said Martijn Verwoerd, Managing Director of Return Carbon. “We’re thrilled to make West Texas a home for this groundbreaking DAC hub and create new opportunities for the region.”

>> RELATED: Return and Verified Announce First 100% Wind-Powered Direct Air Capture Hub, Designed To Scale to 500,000 Tons Annually

Collaboration with Renewable Energy

The success of Project Concho lies in its unique partnership with Greenalia, a global renewable energy leader. Greenalia will construct and operate the wind farm powering the DAC hub, ensuring a reliable and cost-effective energy source. This collaboration addresses a critical challenge for DAC projects: access to low-cost, dependable power.

“We are excited about the partnership with Project Concho, as it reflects a shared vision and collaboration framework,” said Alexandre Alonso, SVP of Business Development at Greenalia. “The flexibility offered by the DAC hub to optimize around energy price peaks is a game changer for renewable energy projects.”

The partnership leverages a unique Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) structure, allowing Greenalia to balance energy production while providing low-cost power to Project Concho. This innovative model is expected to set a precedent for future renewable power-DAC collaborations.

Cutting-Edge DAC Technology

At the heart of Project Concho are the Stratus DAC units provided by Skytree, a leader in carbon removal technology. Skytree’s patented design optimizes energy efficiency while ensuring maximum CO₂ capture. The modular structure of the DAC units allows for scalability and uninterrupted operation, making them an ideal fit for large-scale projects.

“Deploying DAC at scale is necessary to drive down costs across the value chain,” said Elena Nikonova, VP North America at Skytree. “We are thrilled to provide the technology needed to bring Project Concho to life.”

The synergy between DAC technology and renewable energy in Project Concho represents a transformative approach to carbon removal. The facility’s design ensures it can operate 24/7 while maintaining energy efficiency and high capture rates.

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Economic and Environmental Benefits

Project Concho not only tackles climate change but also provides economic benefits to the Concho Valley region. Local landowners stand to gain passive income from carbon sequestration while maintaining traditional land uses.

“Projects like these allow us to maintain traditional land uses while benefiting from a new income source and supporting projects that sustain both our environment and local economy,” said Coleman White, co-founder of Verified Carbon and a local landowner.

Additionally, the project strengthens Texas’s position as a leader in clean energy innovation. By integrating DAC with renewable power, Project Concho demonstrates how the energy transition can benefit both the economy and the environment.

Scaling for Impact

As the first phase of Project Concho focuses on removing 50,000 tons of CO₂ annually, the long-term goal is to scale up to 500,000 tons per year. This ambitious target aligns with the growing demand for verified carbon credits in global carbon markets. The project’s success could pave the way for similar DAC hubs worldwide.

Return Carbon and Verified Carbon’s collaboration with Greenalia and Skytree highlights the potential for multidisciplinary partnerships to advance climate solutions. The innovative framework established by Project Concho serves as a blueprint for future DAC and renewable energy projects.