Major carbon capture project officially underway south of Clive

The project will initially have the capacity to permanently store up to 1.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO₂) every year. It will also have the ability to expand over time.

Canadian Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Tim Hodgson said operations are expected by 2027, and the project is expected to be the largest CCS Hub to date.

“I say ‘to-date’ because we’ve got big things planned,” he said. “What makes this project so important is it demonstrates a uniquely Canadian advantage. It will help keep our industrial economy growing while we reduce emissions. That is the kind of project Canada needs more of: projects that attract investment, projects that create jobs, projects that strengthen our energy security, projects that make our industries more competitive, and projects that help us reach net zero emissions.”

Canadian Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Tim Hodgson speaks about the project near Clive on Wednesday. (Image Credit: rdnewsNOW/Ian Gustafson)

He said Canada’s future is not about walking away from its strengths, but rather about finding new ways to build on those strengths.

He said we’re living through a period of profound economic change, including a trade war he said we did not ask for, but must win.

“Canada didn’t ask for a world where energy security equals economic security equals national security, but that’s the world we are in today. That’s the reality before us. Your federal government, in partnership with the provinces and territories like Alberta, is taking action,” Hodgson said.

He added that the country is going to build our way forward and build to net-zero emissions by 2050. Energy security has become a strategic priority around the world, and countries are looking for reliable partners. He said Canada can and will be that partner.

“The path to net-zero is not paved by shrinking our economy; it’s not achieved by telling Canadians to settle for less affordability or to settle for less prosperity, nor is it achieved by choosing between prosperity and sustainability,” he added.

Hodgson said the answer to questions such as how do we get more Canadian energy to customers around the world and how do we stay competitive lies within projects such as the CCS Hub.

“Today is also a great example of what happens when governments and industry work together. The landmark Canada-Alberta memorandum of understanding recognizes the important role that carbon capture and storage can play in Canada’s future as an energy superpower,” he added.

Crews were working on digging for the pipeline near the site. (Image Credit: rdnewsNOW/Ian Gustafson)

Enhance Energy is the operator of the Clive CO₂ sequestration facility and the developer of the Origins Hub.

Hodgson said the organization’s area of expertise is something that a lot of countries do not have. He said that as they move toward their goal in 2050, there won’t be one source of energy that gets us there, adding that they’ll continue to build more clean energy.

“That’s how we’ll build Canada strong for all. Not by talking about what Canada could do, but by building what Canada needs to become.”

The federal government reports that the project will initially serve industrial facilities in Alberta and could support several sectors, including oil and gas, petrochemicals, cement and power generation.

It also builds on Enhance Energy’s work on the Clive carbon capture and storage project, which has stored over nine million tonnes of CO₂ since 2020.

The project is expected to create jobs in the skilled trades and construction during the building phase, as well as long-term jobs in other areas.

Alberta Minister of Energy and Minerals, Brian Jean, said he’s very excited to see this opportunity come to Alberta, including the jobs that come with it.

“Alberta truly is a global leader in carbon capture, utilization and storage,” Jean said.

“That’s thanks in part to our geology, our expertise, and our investment opportunity, but also our governments working together to recognize what’s important and to work on those things. Equally as important is the vision and the drive of a company such as Enhance, who I’ve been working closely with for some time. Enhance Energy makes this project a reality because they have a vision, they understand how to get that vision done, and they’re actually doing that.”

The project, Jean said, shows how a hub model can actually work. Building on this, Jean said the province selected proposals in 2022 to help accelerate hubs across Alberta to meet the growing demand from industry.

He said the U.S. is doing something similar and added they’re in a race with our neighbours to the south.

“The Origins project is among the first of these hubs to move to a groundbreaking stage, and it’s very exciting to see a CCS storage facility of this size moving forward in Alberta,” Jean said.

Also in attendance at the announcement were Lacombe County Reeve John Ireland, Mayor of Clive Luci Henry, and Town of Innisfail Mayor Jean Barclay.

Ireland said that when municipal leaders, Indigenous partners, community organizations, and all levels of government come together, it reflects the importance of the project but also the strength of the relationships behind it.

He added that Enhance Energy has done business with the County in the past and is a valued partner.

“We have also seen the positive impact their investments have had across our region. Projects like these support local businesses, create opportunities for contracts and workers, and strengthen our rural economy,” Ireland said.

Meanwhile, Henry said the value of Enhance Energy has been felt through not only this major project, but through steady and visible support for people, programs, and the places that make the village strong.

“We are proud to be part of the region helping advance responsible energy development, innovation and long-term stewardship,” Henry said.

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by Ian Gustafson

Major carbon capture project officially underway south of Clive

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