CO2 Capture and Storage (CCS) is recognised as a critical technology for combating climate change – within a portfolio of technologies, including greater energy efficiency and renewable energy. Indeed, the International Energy Agency (IEA)¹ confirms that it is not possible to achieve EU or global CO2 reduction targets without CCS, providing 20% of the cuts required in the EU by 2030 and 20% of the global cuts required by 2050.

The European Union (EU) has responded swiftly, establishing a legal framework for CO2 storage and EU funding for up to 12 CCS demonstration projects – supported by the launch of the European CCS Demonstration Project Network and European Industrial Initiative on CCS. However, urgent action is still required, not only to ensure demonstration projects are operational by 2015 – as mandated by EU Heads of State – but rapid deployment post-2020.

The members of ZEP were instrumental in helping shape the EU demonstration programme: from the proposal for such a programme, through key recommendations on funding and unprecedented work on knowledge-sharing to the R&D requirements for deploying CCS beyond 2020.

A successful and comprehensive EU CCS demonstration programme will require an optimised portfolio across projects, locations and technologies, requiring CCS demonstration projects that cover all the technology options – capture and storage; transport by ship and pipeline; storage on- and offshore; with both the power and industrial sectors represented. This will ensure that:

• the technology can be validated;
• the costs are lowered
• and public awareness increased

¹IEA World Energy Outlook (WEO), 2009

The EU agreed to set aside 300 million emission unit allowances (EUAs) from the New Entrance Reserve (“NER 300”) to demonstrate CCS and innovative renewable energy technologies – including funding for up to 12 large-scale CCS demonstration projects. This is currently valued by the European Commission at €4-5 billion for CCS demonstration. The EU also launched an EU Energy Programme for Recovery (EEPR) in which €1 billion was set aside for CCS demonstration projects in Poland, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy and the UK.

Below you will find more information on current EU CCS demonstration projects.