CO2 storage arouses international interest:
Austrian minister visits Greenport Scandinavia and Port of Hirtshals
The Austrian Minister of Finance, Magnus Brunner, and the German Bundestag politician Oliver Grundmann, along with a larger delegation, have recently visited places including Hirtshals to learn more about CO2 storage in depleted oil and gas fields in the North Sea under the auspices of Greenport Scandinavia.
The work to create a hub for CO2 shipment in Hirtshals for storage in empty oil and gas fields in the North Sea has been noticed both domestically and internationally. Thus, Greenport Scandinavia has recently hosted a visit by the Austrian Minister of Finance, Magnus Brunner, who had taken the initiative to visit the North Jutland region.
- Our top priority is to reduce CO2 emissions. However, some areas may not achieve 100% carbon neutrality. To keep industries from leaving Europe, we need a joint carbon management plan and big investments in infrastructure. Many experts see CO2 storage as vital because even with emission cuts, there'll still be some left. That's why projects like Greenport Scandinavia are so important for a greener future, Brunner explained.
In addition to the Austrian delegation, the German politician Oliver Grundmann, who is a member of the Bundestag and spokesperson for Carbon Management, also participated.
- From Germany's perspective, Denmark is an ideal partner for the storage of CO2: With its geological conditions, regulatory framework, safety standards and geographical proximity to Germany, the country offers ideal conditions for the cost-effective transportation of industrial CO2 emissions from Germany and the rapid development of the necessary infrastructure. Denmark is therefore a very important partner for Germany on the road to climate neutrality, says Oliver Grundmann.
During the visit, the so-called FluidFlower concept was demonstrated, showing how CO2 is stored 2000 meters below the seabed in the North Sea. The visit also included an introduction to Danish work on CO2 storage (CCS), the development of Danish CO2 infrastructure, Greenport Scandinavia, and plans for Project Greensand.
At the Port of Hirtshals, there is great enthusiasm for the international interest in CO2 storage activities, as demonstrated, among other things, through the so-called FluidFlower concept.
- As part of Greenport Scandinavia, we are incredibly proud and happy that the project has been noticed outside the country's borders, and it has been a great pleasure to welcome guests from both Austria and Germany. The hope is, of course, that the visit can help lay the groundwork for any new partnerships or collaborations in other ways, as it is the right path to take when it comes to green transition and large-scale CO2 reduction, says Per Holm Nørgaard, CEO at Port of Hirtshals, one of the partners in Greenport Scandinavia.
In addition to the visit to Hirtshals, the delegation also visited the PtX plant at GrønGas in Hjørring and Aalborg Portland.