Capturing emissions and securing them underground
For power plants and essential industrial processes such as cement, steel, energy, fertilizer and chemical sectors, carbon capture and storage (CCS) also known as carbon capture utilization and sequestration (CCUS) is an important technology to capture carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from a point source and sequester or store it deep underground.
The International Energy Agency calls CCS one of the world’s most critical decarbonization technologies1 to help achieve net zero by 2050. Resources will be needed for pilot projects and infrastructure development to allow Ontario to scale up CCS to its maximum potential.
Cleaner air is just one of the benefits
Lower carbon footprint
CCS can capture over 90 percent2 of CO2 emissions from a power plant or industrial facility.
Enables other essential net-zero pathways
CCS can help unlock hydrogen production and development of other low-carbon fuels.
Lower emissions effectively
CCS could be a contributor to achieving Ontario’s emissions reduction targets.
Energy system resilience
Coupling CCS with the highly reliable natural gas system increases overall energy system resilience.
Enbridge awarded right to advance Alberta Carbon Hub
See how the Open Access Wabamun Carbon Hub Enbridge is developing in Alberta will support near-term carbon capture projects.
Ontario’s potential savings and opportunities
- A preliminary study by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources showed that up to 730 megatonnes of CO2 could potentially be stored in a deep saline aquifer located in southern Ontario4
- Canada is investing $319 million3 over seven years into research and development of CCS technologies.
- An October 2023 report by the Canadian Centre for Economic Analysis (CANCEA) shows that a diversified scenario investment, totaling up to $95 billion in low carbon hydrogen and CCS, is expected to support over $218.8 billion in economic activity and 1.2 million job-years (over 44,000 jobs annually) from 2024 to 2050. View the report on the CANCEA website.
Moving forward together
- The Government of Ontario has created and implemented the Geologic Carbon Storage Act to enable the safe, responsible, and permanent storage of carbon dioxide while protecting the public safety, the environment, and other land and resource uses.
- The legislation and supporting regulations provide a framework for research and evaluation as well as approvals for commercial CCS operations.
