Öresundskraft´s carbon capture initiative receives support from EU Innovation Fund

The European Commission has announced that Öresundskraft's carbon capture and storage (CCS) project at Filbornaverket in Helsingborg Sweden has been selected to receive financial support from the EU Innovation Fund. This means that Öresundskraft is invited to negotiate the final contract terms and sign an agreement. Öresundskraft's application seeks funding of 54 million euros.

Öresundskraft’s CCS initiative aims to capture and store approximately 200,000 tons of carbon dioxide annually from the Filbornaverket. This initiative is a crucial part of the city’s efforts to achieve the goal of net-zero emissions by 2030.

Christian Orsing, Mayor of Helsingborg, states:
– This is an important step in significantly reducing Helsingborg's emissions and lowering our climate footprint. Öresundskraft’s carbon capture initiative is critical for the city to become climate-neutral and is an excellent example of how the green transition can make a real difference for the city, businesses, and residents.

Öresundskraft's Innozhero project – short for 'Innovation for Zero Emissions in Helsingborg' – involves building a modern carbon capture facility at Filbornaverket. Once the carbon dioxide is captured, it is transported and stored at a depth of at least 800 meters underground, where it is mineralized and prevented from returning to the atmosphere. This initiative contributes to local, national, and European climate goals.

The European Commission has selected projects that are considered to have the greatest potential to succeed and provide the most climate benefits. These selected projects are now invited to a final phase, called the "Grant Agreement," where contract terms will be negotiated and agreements signed between the parties.

Anders Östlund, CEO of Öresundskraft, comments:
– The news that the EU Innovation Fund is supporting our project is both a strong acknowledgment of the initiative’s potential and an important driver for continuing our work. A total of 337 projects applied for support, but only 85 projects in Europe were selected. With financial support from the EU Innovation Fund, we have the resources to make a real climate contribution and support a sustainable future for coming generations. I now look forward to the next step in the process, where we will negotiate the final contract terms with the European Commission and sign the agreement.

The stored carbon dioxide not only helps make the district heating production at Filbornaverket in Helsingborg climate-neutral, but it also creates negative emissions. These negative emissions arise when biogenic carbon dioxide is stored and can be used to offset fossil emissions that are difficult to eliminate despite efforts. The negative emissions can then be used by companies that need carbon offsets in their portfolio to achieve their own net-zero goals.

Soraya Axelsson, Commercial Manager for CCS at Öresundskraft, adds:
– We are extremely proud to have developed an initiative that not only ensures long-term, climate-neutral district heating and waste incineration but also provides companies and organizations in Helsingborg with a clear opportunity to achieve their net-zero targets. Innozhero is a strong example of how we, together with the city and businesses at the local, national, and international levels, are leading the way in the necessary climate transition and creating sustainable solutions for the future.

Currently, intensive preparations are underway ahead of the upcoming investment decision required for the CCS initiative to be realized. The procurement of construction and storage actors is ongoing, and work continues in parallel to secure the necessary permits and financing. The final decision on the implementation of the CCS initiative is expected in 2025.

– Helsingborg has set ambitious climate goals, and the CCS initiative is key to achieving them. By combining innovation and local expertise with European support, we are putting Helsingborg on the map as a pioneering city when it comes to sustainable solutions, concludes Anders Östlund.

FACT BOX: EU Innovation Fund

The EU Innovation Fund is one of the world’s largest programs for financing and showcasing new technologies that help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The fund is focused on supporting projects that demonstrate technologies, processes, or products with significant potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The fund can provide up to 40 billion euros in support during the period from 2020 to 2030.

Link to selected projects: Innovation Fund projects - European Commission

For more information, contact:

Christian Orsing
Mayor of Helsingborg
Email: Christian.orsing@helsingborg.se
Tel: +46 70-301 07 26

Anders Östlund
CEO, Öresundskraft
Email: anders.ostlund@oresundskraft.se
Tel: +46 42 490 3080

Soraya Axelsson
Commercial Manager, CCS Project
Tel: +46 70-000 3727
Email: soraya.axelsson@oresundskraft.se