France’s main gas transmission operator, GRTgaz, and the country’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal operator, Elengy, have initiated feasibility studies for the Grand Ouest CO2 (GOCO2) project.
This initiative aims to capture and transport industrial carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the Grand Ouest region in western France.
The pre-FEED (Front End Engineering Design) studies will define the infrastructure’s dimensions and assess costs, regulatory, and environmental issues, with detailed engineering studies slated to begin in 2025, according to a press released, published last week on Elengy’s website.
The partners are preparing a grant applications for these studies under the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), following the approval as a Project of Common Interest (PCI) project.
Relevant: France Confirms Carbon Capture Role With National Strategy
In March, GRTgaz and Elengy launched a call for expressions of interest, seeking to develop a CO2 transport network across various French departments, including a CO2 liquefaction and export terminal at the Montoir-de-Bretagne LNG terminal.
The call targeted stakeholders interested in creating a new CO2 value chain, encompassing carbon capture and storage (CCS) and carbon capture and utilization (CCU) initiatives.
Thus, the GOCO2 project has successfully secured commitments from five companies, including three historical CO2 emitters (Heidelberg Materials, Lafarge, and Lhoist), and two new industrial players (Hynamics and Elyse Energy), to develop the project by 2030.
Additionally, ten other companies have shown potential interest in CO2 projects beyond 2035.
According to Elengy, this reflects the industry’s need for CO2 transport, liquefaction, and export infrastructure in western France.
Read more: France Launches Call For Interest For Carbon Capture And Storage
Sandrine Meunier, CEO of GRTgaz, emphasized the importance of CO2 capture and storage in attracting industry by offering suitable logistics.
She also highlighted the necessity of planning infrastructure with public and private partners to meet regional needs and ensure future success.
Nelly Nicoli, Elengy’s Managing Director, stated that the successful call for expressions of interest confirms their strategic commitment to providing the industry with concrete decarbonization solutions and supporting the development of a carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) chain in France.
Launched in July 2023, GOCO2 is the largest decarbonization project in western France, with an estimated capacity of 2.6 million tons annually by 2030, expandable to 4 million tons by 2050, covering over 75% of the region’s industrial emissions.
