Carbon Capture and Storage Pilot Planned for Rotterdam

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology is going to be tested in Rotterdam following years of crippling delays for similar projects across the EU.

The pilot project, called ‘ROAD’, will capture around 1 million tonnes of greenhouse gases from a nearby coal-fired power station, owned by Uniper, and pump them into a disused gas field in the North Sea.

Scientists believe CCS is essential if the world is to meet its carbon emissions targets and mitigate the harmful consequences of climate change.

"There is a general belief there is no way around it,” Hans Schoenmakers, a Director at both Uniper and ROAD, told Reuters. “We have to meet targets for CO₂ reduction.”

Thus far, the project has been awarded funding by Uniper, the European Commission, the Dutch government and French utility Engie.

An investment decision is expected on the US $555 million project by early next year. Once infrastructure is in place, ROAD will operate for a three-year trial period.

ROAD is the last CCS pilot project standing after 11 other schemes from across the EU were put on indefinite hold due to investment delays. (Energy Digital)