Microsoft to Purchase 626,000 Tonnes of Carbon Removal from Indigenous-Owned North Star Project

Microsoft has entered into a landmark agreement to purchase 626,000 tonnes of durable carbon dioxide removal credits from the North Star BECCS project in Saskatchewan, Canada. This deal involves Svante Technologies Inc. and the Meadow Lake Tribal Council, marking Microsoft's first Canadian bioenergy with carbon capture and storage offtake. The credits will be delivered over a 15-year term starting with the facility's expected commercial operation in early 2029. The project is being developed by North Star Carbon Solutions LP, a partnership between the tribal council and Svante's subsidiary, Carbon Alpha Corp. It is believed to be the first major carbon removal initiative in Canada to feature significant Indigenous ownership. This collaboration highlights a growing trend of Indigenous-led climate solutions that combine traditional land stewardship with advanced industrial technology.

Located at the MLTC Bioenergy Centre, the facility will utilize sustainable waste biomass from an adjacent sawmill to generate renewable power. The carbon capture plant will then strip biogenic CO2 from the combustion emissions before it reaches the atmosphere. Once captured, the gas will be transported via pipeline and permanently sequestered in a deep geologic saline aquifer.

At full capacity, the plant is designed to generate up to 90,000 tonnes of carbon removal credits annually. These credits are expected to be verified under the Puro.earth registry using rigorous monitoring and reporting standards. This high level of verification is essential for corporate buyers like Microsoft who are aiming for carbon negativity by 2030.

The project provides substantial socio-economic benefits to the nine First Nations represented by the Meadow Lake Tribal Council. Beyond environmental impact, the facility will create approximately 50 local jobs during construction and 10 permanent roles once operational. Profits from the venture are slated to support community needs such as healthcare, education, and housing.

Industry leaders view this anchor offtake as a vital market signal for the scalability of carbon management in North America. Scott Gardner, President of Svante Development, noted that the commitment underscores the readiness of the Canadian market to deliver high-quality removals. The project serves as a blueprint for integrating source-to-sink carbon infrastructure within existing industrial ecosystems.