Where to store captured CO₂? German plans run up against North Sea limits

The practically usable capacity of the German part of the North Sea for the long-term storage of captured CO₂ may be significantly lower than theoretical geological estimates suggest. The findings come as the Netherlands has launched Europe’s largest carbon capture project to date.

A study by the Öko-Institut, prepared for the German Environment Agency (UBA), warns that the quality of geological structures beneath the seabed will not be the only decisive factor in planning domestic infrastructure for projects focused on capturing and storing greenhouse gas emissions (CCS). A significant share of promising areas has been designated for nature conservation, the development of offshore wind farms or military purposes.

An essential tool for industrial decarbonisation

The German government has included CCS among the tools needed to achieve climate neutrality by 2045 and describes the technology as essential. However, the new report suggests that a political decision to support carbon storage will not, on its own, ensure there are enough viable sites.