At a press conference today, Yara and Northern Lights announced that they have signed the world’s first commercial carbon transport and storage agreement. The agreement covers CO₂ captured at Yara Sluiskil, an ammonia and fertiliser plant in the Netherlands. The parties are agreed on the main commercial terms.

– We would like to congratulate Northern Lights and Yara on this important milestone for the expansion of CCS. Gassnova, together with our owner, the Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy, and industry partners has developed value chains that are now producing major, positive climate impacts through CCS. At the same time, Longship is contributing to value creation across industries both at home and abroad. This is what makes the project unique, says Roy Vardheim, CEO of Gassnova.     

This is a groundbreaking agreement for the decarbonisation of European heavy industry, and opens up the market for carbon transport and storage as a service across national borders. The agreement is also unique because it covers businesses in two countries, with any state support. One country will store the other country’s greenhouse gas emissions. This will set the standard for industrial businesses in Europe wanting to make an agreement with Northern Lights. 

Groundbreaking for Yara Sluiskil

Netherland-based Yara Sluiskil has already cut 3.4 million tonnes of carbon emissions from its ammonia and fertiliser production since 1990. From 2025, 800,000 tonnes of pure CO₂ will be captured and then transported to Northern Lights in Norway for storage 2,600 metres below the seabed off the coast of Øygarden.

– The rapid decarbonisation of industry is vital, and Yara will be at the forefront of it. I’m so pleased to be able to announce that we are on the way to removing carbon emissions from our factory in Sluiskil. This will take us one step closer to carbon-free food production and increase the supply of clean ammonia for fuel production and power generation, says Svein Tore Holseter, CEO of Yara International ASA in a press release.

Congratulations from the Dutch and Norwegian authorities

– Congratulations to Northern Lights and Yara. This is a day that will go down in history. This agreement highlights CCS as a cost-effective technology and an important contribution for achieving our climate goals, said Terje Aasland, Minister of Petroleum and Energy.

The Dutch Director General for Climate and Energy, Sandor Gaasta, also welcomed the news.

– On behalf of the Dutch government, I would like to congratulate Northern Lights and the Norwegian government for reaching this milestone. It will be almost impossible for the Netherlands to reach its 2030 climate goals without CCS.

Read more about the Longship project here.

Source: Northern Lights