SUNYA SCOOP

Microsoft’s Mega Carbon Bet

April 15, 2025

Microsoft signs 3.69M tonne CO₂ removal deal with CO280

Microsoft bets big on permanent CDR with one of the largest engineered removal deals to date.

  • Microsoft to buy 3.685M tonnes of CO₂ removal over 12 years

  • CO280 to retrofit U.S. pulp and paper mills using SLB Capturi tech

  • One of the largest engineered CDR deals to date

  • 5 priority projects targeted by 2030; projects leverage waste heat/biomass

Google signs first geothermal energy deal in Asia

Google partners with Baseload Capital in Taiwan to scale 24/7 clean energy across Asia-Pacific.

  • 10 MW of geothermal power to be added to Taiwan’s grid under new PPA

  • Builds on Google’s 2019 solar PPA leadership in the region

  • Leverages Taiwan’s geothermal potential along the Pacific Ring of Fire

  • Part of a broader push to replicate geothermal projects in Japan, Indonesia, and beyond

  • Supports Taiwan’s goal of 6 GW geothermal capacity by 2050

ArcLight to acquire 620 MW Kleen gas plant in Connecticut

ArcLight makes a power play for AI-era energy demand with a strategic gas asset buy.

  • Buying from Osaka Gas USA and Kyuden International

  • Plant positioned to meet rising AI/data center power demand

  • ArcLight has managed 65 GW of assets since 2001

Mainspring raises $258M to scale linear generators

Modular, fuel-flexible power tech gets a boost as Mainspring locks in major backing.

  • Series F led by General Catalyst; Amazon and Temasek join

  • Tech offers dispatchable, low-emission, modular power (250kW to 100MW+)

  • Used in EV charging, data centers, and hospitals

  • $800M+ raised since commercial launch in 2020

Fourier raises $18.5M to scale hydrogen-on-demand tech

Hydrogen gets a modular makeover as Fourier raises to push on-site production mainstream.

  • $18.5M Series A led by General Catalyst and Paramark

  • Modular systems for flexible, on-site hydrogen production

  • Addresses cost, transport, and scalability issues

  • Funds to expand manufacturing and commercial deployment

Apollo commits $400M to Summit Ridge solar JV

Apollo doubles down on distributed solar with a major investment in Illinois-based Summit Ridge.

  • Funding commercial solar rollout in Illinois via joint venture

  • Summit Ridge has 2GW+ pipeline serving 40K+ customers

  • Builds on Apollo’s $175M investment in 2022

  • Apollo’s climate investments now total ~$58B

NextDecade signs 1.5 MTPA LNG deal with TotalEnergies

LNG momentum builds as TotalEnergies inks a long-term deal for Train 4 capacity.

  • 20-year agreement tied to Rio Grande LNG Train 4, priced off Henry Hub

  • Total of 4.6 MTPA now secured; FID still pending

  • Rio Grande could reach 48 MTPA capacity; CCS in development

Venture Global starts up Calcasieu Pass LNG

One of the fastest greenfield LNG projects hits commercial ops in just 68 months.

  • Modular build helped navigate pandemic and natural disaster delays

  • Long-term contracts offer sub-$2/MMBtu liquefaction fees

  • Customers include European buyers with 20-year supply agreements

  • Next up: Plaquemines LNG, which achieved first gas Dec 2024

  • Total LNG capacity in development exceeds 100 MTPA, with CCS in planning

Mora Energy launches with $250M+ from NGP & Old Ironsides

A new Permian-focused midstream player hits the market with deep-pocketed backing and veteran leadership.

  • Founded by former LM Energy team; focused on U.S. midstream buildout

  • Raised $250M+ from NGP, Old Ironsides, and management

  • Drew Bredthauer (ex-WTG Midstream) joins as President

  • Based in Dallas, targeting infrastructure development and acquisitions

Vaquero Midstream secures $400M for Permian expansion

Credit facility will fund major system upgrades across Reeves, Loving, and Ward counties.

  • $400M facility led by BOK Financial to support 2025–26 projects

  • Vaquero operates 400 MMcf/d Caymus gas plant in the Delaware Basin

  • Portfolio company of Yorktown Partners, focused on integrated midstream services

  • Emphasizing reliability, customer service, and community engagement

DISCLAIMER: None of this is financial advice. This newsletter is strictly educational and is not investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any assets or to make any financial decisions. Please be careful and do your own research.