CO2 capture project on schedule

The Porthos CO2 transport and storage project in Rotterdam, an initiative of EBN, Gasunie and the Port of Rotterdam Authority, now has Air Liquide, Air Products, ExxonMobil, and Shell registered for a total of €2b from the SDE++ (Sustainable Energy Transition subsidy) scheme for the next 15 years, said the Port of Rotterdam Authority. The final sum may be considerably lower, especially due to the rising price of emission rights (ETS) in the next 15 years, it added.

“It is clear that CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage of CO2) is the best way forward to make huge progress fast and relatively cheaply in meeting the climate targets,” said the Port of Rotterdam Authority.

Cutting 42m tonnes of CO2

Between 2008 and 2019, a total of approximately €4.5bn in SDE funds was paid to many projects in the Netherlands. Because of these projects about 42m tonnes of CO2 less has ended up in the atmosphere. With even less than half the sum, the Porthos project will realise an almost equally big reduction: some 37m tonnes of CO2 in a 15-year period.

It is set out in the Dutch Climate Agreement that half of the industry’s CO2 reduction in 2030 will be achieved by CSS.

The subsidy is due to be granted to Air Liquide, Air Products, ExxonMobil, and Shell in spring. According to expectations, the permit procedures will be completed by late 2021. The companies will prepare for the construction of the capture plants this year.

Porthos’ project team will also be working on the technical preparations of laying pipes on land and on the sea bed, building the compressor station, and adjusting the platform at sea. The final investment decision for Porthos has been planned for 2022.

The EU has confirmed it will contribute €102m to the project.