EC Calls for Carbon Capture, Storage Network

September 12, 2008 // Published as a news service by IHS

CCS technology shows great potential in helping reduce CO2 emissions, especially from power plants using fossil fuels, such as coal or gas.

The International Energy Agency estimates that the use of CCS could account for 20% of the achievable global greenhouse gas emissions reductions by 2050.

As part of the plan, the EC launched a call for tender for an external service provider to assist in establishing and running the network.

The deadline for submission of tenders is Oct. 6, and the selection process should be completed by the beginning of 2009.

The selected contractor will assist the EC in ensuring that the network allows early movers to exchange information and experience from large-scale industrial demonstration of the use of CCS technologies and to optimize costs through shared collective actions.

The EC foresees that, as the network evolves, its integrating role may be complemented by other measures that support the further development of CCS technologies, building towards the establishment of a European industrial initiative on CCS, as proposed in the EC's communication on its Strategic Energy Technology Plan.

The successful operation of demonstration projects is crucial for the wide-scale commercial application of CCS. Accordingly, in March 2007, the European Council of Ministers endorsed the EC's intention to stimulate the construction and operation of a set of CCS demonstration projects by 2015.

More information on the call for tender for the European CSS project network is available online.

Source: European Commission.