With its new CCS-strategy, the European Commission has outlined a common direction for CO2 capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) in the EU. The strategy highlights Denmark as a pioneer in the field, and Danske Rederier (Danish Shipping) predicts that Denmark could play a central role.
Denmark’s position in underground storage of CO2 is acknowledged and mentioned in the CCS-strategy presented by the European Commission. The strategy – the ‘Industrial Carbon Management Strategy’ – sets a framework for the ambition to build an internal market for CO2, benefiting both the climate and employment. All measures are, of course, aimed at achieving the EU’s climate goals of a 90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.
Martin Rune Pedersen, Country Manager and Head of CCS, TotalEnergies Denmark said: “CCS is highlighted as a crucial technology for achieving both Danish and European climate goals. Denmark also plays a crucial role here because we have the potential to become a European CO2 hub. The strategy emphasises that a key building block is a common European infrastructure, including the establishment of CO2-pipelines. We fully support this.”
At the same time, the Council and the European Parliament have agreed an ambition through the Net-Zero Industry Act to establish a storage capacity of at least 50m tons of CO2 per year by 2030, which is to be increased to 280m tons by 2040.
Mads Gade, CEO INEOS Energy Denmark, added: “The storage potential for CO2 in Denmark’s subsurface is much larger than what we can capture and store ourselves. It must be utilised internationally to support the EU’s objectives. With the storage of CO2 in the subsurface of the North Sea, Project Greensand has underscored that the technology behind CO2 capture and storage works in practice. CCS is not just lines on a piece of paper or words in a report. The technology is ready, the infrastructure is there, and now there needs to be further push in development, as CCS can play an important role in reducing emissions in Denmark and the rest of Europe.”
Danish Shipping notes with satisfaction that the European Commission recognises shipping as a central part of the value chain for handling CO2.
Jacob K Clasen, Deputy CEO Danish Shipping said: “Denmark is a pioneer in the CCUS field. It is very positive that the EU is now taking significant steps towards establishing an internal market for capturing, transporting, utilising, and storing CO2. Now there is a need to establish the necessary international agreements and frameworks so the scale can be increased, and companies can confidently make the necessary investments, for example, in ships capable of transporting CO2. It has the potential to become a new Danish business adventure.”
Image source: Danish Shipping
