A recent study by TNO highlights that the Dutch North Sea has the capacity to store up to 3 billion metric tons of CO2, offering a critical asset in Europe’s push toward net-zero emissions by 2050.
To meet their climate neutrality goals, both the European Commission and the Dutch government are prioritizing the reduction of CO2 emissions and the long-term storage of residual emissions.
One of the most effective solutions for this is carbon capture and storage (CCS), particularly from industrial sources. TNO’s findings reveal that empty gas reservoirs beneath the North Sea could hold enough CO2 to support decarbonization efforts for decades.
In addition to exhausted gas fields, deep underground aquifers also offer viable storage options. Ongoing initiatives like the Porthos and Aramis projects are already being developed to utilize depleted gas fields for CO2 storage.
Of roughly 200 offshore gas fields identified in Dutch waters, TNO estimates that between 40 and 130 could be converted for CO2 storage, offering a combined capacity of around 1.26 to 1.75 billion tons.
Meanwhile, aquifers — particularly those found in Rotliegend sandstone formations — present an even greater opportunity. Preliminary estimates suggest they could store between 990 million and 3.65 billion tons of CO2.
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However, actual capacity depends heavily on marine spatial planning, as overlapping uses like offshore wind farms may limit available space.
While the Netherlands has ample storage potential, many neighboring countries — including Germany, France, and Belgium — face greater limitations.
As a result, there is likely to be significant demand for Dutch storage sites to accommodate cross-border CO2 captured in other parts of Europe. Aquifer storage, in this case, could become essential to meet the rising regional needs.
Read more: UK Seeks New North Sea CO2 Storage Sites To Accelerate Net Zero Goals
