Direct Air Capture Comes Into Focus

As net zero becomes the world's new climate goal, direct air capture (DAC) will play an increasing role in addressing any residual emissions and eventually reduce carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere. Canada's Carbon Engineering, in partnership with Occidental Petroleum, will soon start construction of the world's first large-scale DAC plant in the US' Permian Basin. It is expected to capture 500,000 tons of CO2 annually from 2024 onward, at a cost of around $300 per ton. This is expensive but a more sustainable $100/ton is around the corner, Carbon Engineering's CEO Steve Oldham tells Energy Intelligence.