With the proposal, the government shows that they take CO2 storage in the North Sea seriously and make it possible to establish a market for CCS.

There must be a high pace in the CCS area, and Minister for Climate, Energy and Utilities Lars Aagaard emphasized at the press conference that the CCS action plan must make it possible to create large-scale operations to bring costs down and thereby pump more CO2 underground.

The proposal also includes a plan to pool CCS funds for two major calls for funds, as well as ensure clear frameworks for the industry and pave the way for European cooperation on CO2 capture, all to secure Denmark's CO2 reduction targets towards 2030. It is planned that the projects should be fully operational already in 2029, with the possibility of capture and storage from 2028, and it is expected that the first of the two calls will be launched in June 2024.

Business Esbjerg, together with local cluster actors, has delivered some of the recommendations that have found their way into the government's proposal. Director Karsten Rieder is pleased:

– It is nice to recognize several of the contributions Business Esbjerg, together with the local cluster actors, has delivered to the ministry in the government's action plan, says Karsten Rieder.

Capture and storage of CO2 can secure energy jobs for Esbjerg

The current CCS projects, Greensand and Bifrost, in which a large number of Esbjerg companies have been involved, have gotten off to a good start. The projects have proven that CO2 storage in the North Sea is possible, which has been a prerequisite for creating a new CCS business adventure in Denmark.

With the establishment of a CCS industry in Denmark, it is expected that a number of Esbjerg's oil and gas companies will play a major role, with their experience, knowledge, and skills. All of this can help secure future jobs in our energy sector in Esbjerg.