The Energy Agency has now given the green light for further investigations of CO2 storage in the underground at three locations in Denmark. The selected areas are Gassum north of Randers, Rødby on Lolland, and Havnsø in Northwest Zealand. The permission is an important step in efforts to find sustainable solutions to reduce CO2 emissions.
Two other potential locations, Stenlille in Southwest Zealand and Thorning in Central Jutland, have not received permission for further investigations at this time. According to the director of the Energy Agency, Kristoffer Böttzauw, the projects have undergone a thorough assessment to ensure their realism and safety.
The three companies, Wintershall Dea International GmbH and Ineos E&P A/S, CarbonCuts A/S, and Ørsted Carbon Solutions A/S, have been granted permission to start the detailed investigations. If the results show that the underground can be used for CO2 storage in a safe manner, the companies can later apply to start the actual storage.
Previous studies from the National Geological Survey for Denmark and Greenland (Geus) have indicated that the Danish underground is suitable for CO2 storage both on land and at sea. However, not all local residents are thrilled about the prospect of CO2 storage near their homes. Especially in Havnsø, there has been resistance, and a petition against the project has gathered over 500 signatures.
The technology behind CO2 storage involves capturing, cleaning, and cooling CO2 emissions from sources such as cement factories, turning it into a liquid. This liquid is then transported to the storage site and pumped at least 800 meters down into the underground, where it is stored in sandstone layers under a protective clay cap. This method has been used in Norway since the 1990s and is therefore well-tested.
The Energy Agency is planning to hold an online briefing on June 27 for citizens in the areas where permission has been granted for further investigations. The purpose of the meeting is to inform and answer questions from citizens about the upcoming investigations and potential consequences.