Carbon capture studies to go ahead at Norwegian waste incineration plant

NORWAY’s ministry of petroleum and energy has announced that it will fund FEED studies on CO₂ capture at Fortum Oslo Varme’s waste-to-energy facility at Klemetsrud in Oslo.

Last year CCS concept studies – as part of Norway’s plans for a demonstration project – concluded at three facilities: Norcem’s cement plant, Yara’s ammonia plant, and Fortum Oslo Varme’s waste incineration plant. In May 2018, the government granted funding for FEED studies for up to two facilities, which included Norcem’s plant, but the plans for Yara’s ammonia plant were dropped. The ministry of petroleum and energy has now confirmed that FEED studies will also be carried out at Fortum Oslo Varme’s waste-to-energy facility.

The latest external quality assessment found that cost estimates and uncertainties related to the implementation of CO₂ capture have decreased compared to the last assessment. The total cost for capture, transport, and storage over a five-year period has dropped from NOK13.1bn (US$1.54bn) to NOK11.8bn.

When the FEED studies are completed, another assessment will be required before an investment decision is made, likely in 2020/2021. The decision will have to be weighed against other climate change mitigation measures and the project will have to demonstrate sufficiently low costs and show that future projects can benefit from lessons learned.

Terje Søviknes, minister of petroleum and energy, said:

“CO₂ capture and storage can play an important role in the efforts to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions in line with the climate goals. I'm very pleased with the improvements made in the CO₂ capture project Fortum Oslo Varme has presented, and that we now can continue FEED studies at two capture sites. A reasonable cost level is decisive in order for a demonstration project to succeed. Moving forward with two capturing projects ensures competition between the actors, which will contribute to keeping the costs low.”