Microsoft has supercharged its commitment to carbon removal, expanding its landmark deal with Stockholm Exergi to permanently store 5.08 million tons of CO₂ over a decade. Announced on May 7, 2025, the agreement—now the world’s largest annual carbon dioxide removal (CDR) delivery—solidifies Microsoft’s leadership in the race to net-zero emissions.

Scaling Up Carbon Capture

The deal centers on Stockholm Exergi’s $1.3 billion Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) facility near Stockholm’s Värtaverket plant, set to start operations in 2028. The facility will capture up to 800,000 tons of biogenic CO₂ annually—more than Stockholm’s entire road traffic emissions. The captured carbon will be stored temporarily before being transported to Norway for permanent injection beneath the North Sea, supported by the Northern Lights project, a joint venture by Equinor, Shell, and TotalEnergies.

“This is the largest CDR deal globally in terms of annual deliveries,” Stockholm Exergi stated.

The expanded agreement, up from 3.3 million tons, will see Microsoft secure 500,000 tons of CO₂ removal each year. “Microsoft’s trust in our bio-CCS project shows the growing demand for durable carbon removal,” said Anders Egelrud, CEO of Stockholm Exergi.

Microsoft’s Broader Climate Push

The Stockholm Exergi deal is part of Microsoft’s aggressive strategy to become carbon negative by 2030. The tech giant has been ramping up CDR investments, signing deals in April 2025 with biochar firm Carba, reforestation startup Living Carbon, and CO280 for a 3.685-million-ton project in the US pulp sector. These efforts complement Microsoft’s goal to remove all historical emissions by 2050.

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Why BECCS Matters?

BECCS is a cornerstone of high-durability carbon removal, capturing CO₂ from biomass energy production and storing it permanently. Unlike nature-based solutions, BECCS offers verifiable, long-term carbon sequestration, critical for offsetting hard-to-abate emissions. The Stockholm facility, powered by renewable biomass, could set a global benchmark for urban carbon capture, with potential to offset emissions equivalent to 200,000 cars annually.

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Industry and Consumer Impact

Microsoft’s investment signals a maturing voluntary carbon market, with 83% of consumers willing to support eco-friendly brands, per a 2024 PwC survey. By backing BECCS, Microsoft is driving demand for scalable CDR while encouraging other corporations to follow suit. The deal also supports Europe’s push for carbon neutrality, with Sweden aiming for net-zero by 2045.

What’s Next?

As the Stockholm BECCS plant gears up for 2028, Microsoft’s expanded commitment could catalyze further CDR innovation. With the global carbon removal market projected to reach $100 billion by 2030, per BloombergNEF, such deals are pivotal. For now, Microsoft’s partnership with Stockholm Exergi is a bold step toward a carbon-negative future, proving tech giants can lead the charge against climate change.

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