Has Denmark Launched a New Carbon Storage Terminal?

Synopsis
Denmark has taken a bold step in its fight against climate change with the groundbreaking of a new CO2 transit terminal at Port Esbjerg. This project aims to enhance carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies and contribute to ambitious national climate goals. Could this be a game-changer in Denmark's environmental strategy?
Key Takeaways
- Denmark is advancing its carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies.
- The new terminal at Port Esbjerg will facilitate CO2 transport and storage.
- This project is part of the Greensand Future project.
- The total investment is projected to exceed 1 billion Danish kroner.
- Job creation and significant revenue generation are expected.
Oslo, May 5 (NationPress) A significant ceremony took place on Monday to inaugurate a new carbon dioxide (CO2) transit terminal at Port Esbjerg in western Denmark. This marks an important advancement in the nation’s mission to enhance carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies while aiming to lower greenhouse gas emissions.
The terminal is a crucial component of the Greensand Future project, designed to facilitate the reduction of CO2 emissions through CCS. Upon completion later this year, the Esbjerg terminal will become a pivotal infrastructure hub for transporting and storing liquefied CO2, playing a vital role in meeting Denmark's national climate objectives and bolstering CCS capabilities in the region.
"This milestone signifies a crucial achievement for the Greensand project and is a fundamental step in establishing a comprehensive CCS value chain. Implementing carbon capture and storage is essential for reaching our climate goals," remarked Mads Gade, CEO of the project operator INEOS Energy Europe, at the site.
The terminal is set to accommodate six large tanks, each with a storage capacity of approximately 1,000 tonnes of liquefied CO2. The CO2 will be sourced from Danish biogas plants and transported via truck to the Esbjerg terminal for temporary storage.
Once the tanks reach capacity, the liquefied CO2 will be loaded onto a vessel and shipped to the INEOS Nini platform located in the Danish North Sea. The CO2 will then be injected into geological formations situated around 1,800 meters beneath the seabed for long-term storage, as reported by the Xinhua news agency.
The project entered its commercial phase in December 2024, following a final investment decision made by INEOS and its partners. The total investment is anticipated to exceed 1 billion Danish kroner (approximately 150 million US dollars).
The European Commission has indicated that to meet the Paris Agreement targets, it will be essential to store 250 million tonnes of CO2 annually by 2040. CCS is also deemed crucial for Denmark to achieve its net-zero emissions targets by 2045.
Experts suggest that Denmark's geological features in the North Sea are particularly favorable for CO2 storage. Should the country capture 5 percent of the European CCS market, it could potentially generate up to 9,000 jobs and yield revenues of 50 billion Danish kroner.