The projected combined heat and power plant in Mongstad, on Norway’s west coast, will be equipped with full scale CO2 capture and storage (CCS) facilities. But the technology still has to be chosen. Several solutions will be tested out simultaneously in the first phase of the project. By 2010 at least 100,000 tonnes of carbon will have to be sequestered from the plant annually, being about 8% of the total plant emissions. By 2014 the project will be fully operational, capturing and storing 85 of the 1.3 million tonnes of CO2 emitted per year.

The Norwegian centre for sustainable gas technologies Gassnova and the Research Council of Norway will contribute the 17 million Euros per year to develop the technologies. Statoil will assume 20% of the technology company in Mongstad. Other parties will be invited to consider part ownership. This public-private arrangement should make sure that the technological developments could have broad international relevance.

Norway started storing CO2 in 1996. Natural gas containing CO2 was cleaned and the separated carbon dioxide stored in a geological layer 1,000 metres under the sea bed. The Norwegian Government intends to extend the existing capture and storage technologies and make CCS an important element of their energy policy.

In 2005 Norway emitted 54 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, which was 8.5% above the 1990 level. Under the Kyoto protocol, Norway is permitted to emit only 1% above the 1990 level.

Most elements of the CCS chain are to a large extend proven technology, according to the State Secretary, but CO2 capture technology is not yet applied in full scale power plants. The CO2 test centre at Mongstad would fit in perfectly as one of the European large scale demonstration facilities.

Further information:

Speech Anita Utseth: An ambitious policy for carbon dioxide capture and storage in Norway