CEF Energy: reducing the carbon footprint of European industrial hubs

In the pursuit of delivering the European Green Deal and achieving the EU’s decarbonisation objectives for 2030 and 2050, the European Union has been actively investing in energy infrastructure projects under the Connecting Europe Facility for Energy (CEF Energy).

On the occasion of the 10^th anniversary of the CEF Energy programme, we want to put the spotlight on projects supported by this funding instrument that stand out as a crucial link in strengthening the energy landscape of different regions. One of these projects is the Porthos CO₂ project, a groundbreaking initiative in the CO₂ networks sector. 

Porthos CO ₂ Transport Network 

The Porthos CO₂ project is part of the Project of Common Interest (PCI) CO2 TransPorts , which aims at capturing, transporting, and storing carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from industries in the Port of Rotterdam area as well as in other locations. This project is essential in the fight against climate change, significantly reducing the carbon footprint of one of Europe's largest industrial hubs.

The project will develop an open access cross-border CO₂  transport network to transport CO₂  from industrial sources in the ports of Rotterdam, Antwerp and Ghent to offshore storage locations in depleted gas fields in the North Sea. It will also support the construction of a 33 km long onshore pipeline connecting industrial emitters in the port area of Rotterdam, a compressor station of 20 MW, and a 20 km offshore pipeline that will transport the compressed captured CO₂ to depleted gas fields for CO₂ storage in the Dutch section of the North Sea.

The construction of the infrastructure has started this year (2024), and the system is expected to become operational as of 2026.

CEF Energy funding for crucial components

In 2018, Porthos received over EUR 6.5 million of CEF Energy funding for engineering studies, environmental impact assessments, and the technical planning necessary to ensure the project's viability and compliance with environmental regulations.

Later on, in 2020, the project received another grant of more than EUR 102 million to carry out the construction of the infrastructure needed for the CO₂ transport backbone in the port of Rotterdam area able to transport CO₂ to the North Sea, as explained above. 

The EU funding has therefore allowed for an effective transition from planning to construction and eventual operation.

The project impact and benefits

Around 14% of CO₂ emissions in the Netherlands are originated in the Port of Rotterdam area, making the region’s impact in the national climate objectives extremely important. Hence, the main benefit of the project will be its contribution to reducing CO₂ emissions in the Netherlands, as well as playing an active role in the energy transition in line with the objectives of the EU Industrial Carbon Management strategy.

Conclusion

The Porthos CO₂ project represents a crucial step toward sustainable industrial practices and significant reductions in CO₂ emissions, and can be a leading model for similar projects across Europe. This collaboration between public and private funding exemplifies how innovative solutions and financial backing can drive impactful climate action. 

More information

https://www.porthosco2.nl/en