Norway signs bi lateral agreement that enables international CCUS infrastructure

The bi lateral agreement is a new step towards a European infrastructure for carbon capture and storage (CCUS) and follows previously signed lateral agreements between the countries. The CCUS technology is a cost-effective way to handle hard-to-abate emissions, hence necessary in order to reach European climate goals.

Greater Bergen - a CCUS frontrunner

Located in Øygarden, in Greater Bergen, the company Northern Lights is almost ready to open and take part in the climate actions. The CO₂ emissions from industrial processes, such as steel and cement production, or from the burning of fossil fuels in power generation, is captured and separated from other gases. By ship or via pipelines this carbon is transported to facilities where it can be injected and stored deep underground in geological formations.

- Norway has great potential to store CO₂ and I am pleased that other countries will store CO₂ in Norwegian storage sites. The capacity is enormous. The climate challenge transcends borders, and it is crucial that we put in place solutions for transport of CO₂ across national borders. This is an important day for the climate, for our industries and for the first full-scale European CCS project “Longship, said Norway’s Minister of Energy Terje Aasland when he signed the agreement.

The Danish minister underlined it is important with collaboration.

- In order to decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors, we need carbon capture and storage. In order to reach climate neutrality by 2050 in Europe, we need carbon capture and storage in a larger, international scale. Today’s arrangements are two great steps in the right direction. It’s all hands on deck – and I’m glad to see both Norway and Sweden joining our work towards an international industry for carbon capture and storage’, says Danish Minister for Climate, Energy and Utilities Lars Aagaard.

The Energy Park is located in Kollsnes in Greater Bergen, along one of Norway's main sea routes. The park is a HUB for climate-friendly industries. Photo: CCB Energy Park. 

Expecting new contracts

The Dutch minister is expecting the bi lateral agreement will be followed by new contracts between Norway and Dutch companies.

- Storage of CO2 is a cost-effective means of reducing emissions on time to reach the EU climate targets. This cooperation between Norway and the Netherlands on cross-border CO2 transport, is an important step in the development of an open European CCS market. It contributes to the EU climate goals and economic development. I am hopeful that this declaration will soon be followed by concrete project between the Netherlands and Norway, said Rob Jetten Minister for Climate and Energy, the Netherlands.

The CCUS technology can solve immediate emissions from today’s activity.

- Like the rest of Europe, Wallonia is at a pivotal point in its development. The question of the resilience of our economy and, more broadly, of our society, has become central. If we are to achieve our climate objectives, the key factors are undoubtedly energy sobriety, energy efficiency and the development of renewable energies. How-ever, not all Walloon companies face the same challenges: their manufacturing pro-cesses vary, and CO2 emissions are sometimes inherent to production processes. CO2 capture therefore becomes a vital solution for these enterprises. I welcome today's signing of the Memorandum with Norway to enable the permanent storage of carbon dioxide, which takes on its full meaning in this context, says Walloon Minister for Climate, Energy, Mobility, and Infrastructure of the Walloon Region Philippe Henry.

From the signing event; from left:Daniel Liljeberg, State Secretary (Sweden), Lars Aagard, Minister for Climate, Energy and Utilities (Denmark), Elisabeth Sæther, State Secretary (Norway) Caroline Kollau (Netherlands) Alexia Bertrand, State Secretary (Belgium) Foto: Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union / Julien Nizet.