Horizon Europe Funds CO2 Capture Tech
A Horizon Europe funding stream is targeting the development of new carbon dioxide capture technologies. A specific call for proposals, closing February 17, seeks innovations applicable to both point sources and direct air capture, relevant for decarbonizing urban and industrial clusters.
- This Horizon Europe funding aligns with the Dutch government's broader strategy to use Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) as a key pillar for achieving its 2030 climate goals, particularly for decarbonizing hard-to-abate industrial sectors. The national Climate Agreement identifies CCUS as necessary for eliminating 14 million tonnes of industrial CO2 annually by 2030. - Large-scale infrastructure projects are already underway in the Netherlands, notably in the Rotterdam industrial cluster. The Porthos project, a joint venture between the Port of Rotterdam Authority, Gasunie, and EBN, is expected to be operational by 2026 and will store approximately 2.5 million tonnes of CO2 per year in depleted gas fields under the North Sea. - A second, larger project named Aramis is also in development, aiming to transport up to 22 million tonnes of CO2 annually by 2030. The Dutch government has committed €639 million to the Aramis project to ensure its progress after private partners scaled back their investment. - To financially de-risk these significant investments, the Netherlands employs the Stimulation of Sustainable Energy Production and Climate Transition (SDE++) subsidy scheme. This program compensates companies for the cost difference between carbon capture and the price of EU Emission Trading System (ETS) allowances, with a maximum budget reservation of €2.1 billion allocated for the first four Porthos customers over 15 years. - The Port of Rotterdam is being positioned as a major European CO2 transport hub, with plans for infrastructure to connect not only local industry but also industrial clusters in Germany and Belgium to North Sea storage sites. This strategy includes the development of terminals like CO2next for handling liquid CO2 from ships and other transport modes. - There is a growing connection in the Netherlands between carbon capture and the circular construction economy. The government's goal for a fully circular economy by 2050 is driving innovation in utilizing captured CO2 as a raw material for building products, which aligns with the Ministry of Housing and Spatial Planning's focus on sustainable and biobased construction. - Innovations in the Dutch building sector are already demonstrating the use of captured carbon. For instance, a pedestrian bridge made with CO₂-neutral concrete that permanently stores captured carbon has been built, showcasing a practical application for circular construction principles. - The spatial planning for this large-scale energy infrastructure is guided by national frameworks like the National Environmental Vision (NOVI). The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy has been leading the strategy, but the recently re-established Ministry of Housing and Spatial Planning will play a key role in integrating this new infrastructure with other land use demands, such as housing and nature.
