DAC cost vs. energy price.
Direct air capture cost ($/tCO₂) plotted as two anchor bands on an electricity-price (¢/kWh) axis: today (grid price → $400–1,000) and cheap-energy (sub-2¢/kWh → $80–200). Directional connector between them shows the trajectory without inventing data points.
DAC cost vs. energy price.
Sorbent regeneration is energy-intensive.
Today's grid price → $400–1,000/tCO₂. Sub-2¢/kWh electricity → $80–200/tCO₂. Two anchor bands, not a smooth curve.
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1000
0¢
2¢
4¢
6¢
8¢
10¢
12¢
electricity price · ¢/kWh
DAC cost · $/tCO₂
2¢/kWh unlock
$400–1000/t
today (grid)
$80–200/t
sub-2¢/kWh
Two anchor bands, not a smooth curve. Sorbent-regeneration energy dominates DAC opex, so the cost
spine is electricity price. Plant capital + learning-by-doing tighten both bands over time.
More Energy, Clean Planet
Source: IEA DAC 2024 · CDR.fyi · MECP cost_curves
moreenergycleanplanet.com · CC BY 4.0
Sourced 2026-05-26