News item | 16-10-2023 | 5:00 PM
The Netherlands and Denmark signed an agreement today to collaborate on CO2 transport and storage (CCS). Both countries want to make industry more sustainable and contribute to European climate goals by enabling cross-border transport of CO2 between ports and industry. The Netherlands and Denmark do this with cross-border projects for the capture, transport and storage of CO2.
The Netherlands and Denmark previously signed an agreement with Belgium on cross-border CO2 transport. This will create an open European market for CO2 storage, where, for example, future storage of Dutch CO2 can take place in empty gas and oil fields under the North Sea in Denmark. The agreement was signed by Minister Rob Jetten (Climate and Energy – Netherlands) and Minister Lars Aagaard (Climate, Energy and Utilities – Denmark).
Minister Rob Jetten (Climate and Energy): “Underground CO2 storage is a cost-effective measure for reducing greenhouse gases in the short term. Furthermore, the development of CO2 storage projects contributes to carbon removal in the future. Through the joint efforts of Denmark and the Netherlands and the facilitation of cross-border CO2 transport, we are taking important steps towards an open European market for CO2 storage that contributes to the European climate objectives and economy.”
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)
The advanced technological process, also known as Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), is all about reducing the industry’s CO2 emissions. It starts with capturing the CO2 itself at industrial installations. This is followed by safe transport to suitable storage locations such as empty gas and oil fields under the North Sea. The CO2 is then permanently stored there, so that it no longer ends up in the air and does not cause emissions.
In principle, the construction and operation of infrastructure is up to companies and market parties, but (semi-) public parties such as ports and network operators also contribute. Dutch CCS projects are eligible for support from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate (EZK) through the so-called SDE++ scheme for stimulating sustainable energy production and climate transition.