Bremen’s energy supplier swb is launching a pioneering project to capture 300,000 tonnes of CO2 from waste annually. This marks Germany’s first large-scale CCS initiative at a Waste-to-Energy plant.
Key Takeaways
- Bremen’s energy supplier swb is launching Germany’s first large-scale Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) project at the Mittelkalorik Kraftwerk.
- The Brewaccs initiative aims to capture 300,000 tonnes of CO2 annually from waste incineration and store it in the North Sea.
- The project receives €9 million in state support, leveraging further investments of up to €160 million.
- With a capture rate of over 90 per cent, the facility will generate minimal environmental impact by sourcing energy from the power plant itself.
- Operations are set to begin in early 2031, targeting a total CO2 saving of 1.5 million tonnes by 2035.
German energy supplier swb is planning Germany’s first industrial-scale project for Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) from waste incineration in Bremen. The project, named “Brewaccs” (Bremen Waste Carbon-Capture and Storage), will be located at the Mittelkalorik Kraftwerk (MKK) in Bremen’s industrial port.
The initiative aims to capture approximately 300,000 tonnes of CO2 annually from unavoidable waste incineration and store it permanently in the North Sea. This volume corresponds to about six per cent of the emission reductions Bremen needs to achieve by 2030. The state of Bremen is supporting the project with €9 million from its immediate investment programme.
The total investment from swb is estimated to be between €130 million and €170 million. The state’s co-financing of €9 million facilitates a further €30 million in a federal funding programme.
Mayor Andreas Bovenschulte stated that “Brewaccs” is beneficial for both the environment and Bremen as a business and technology location. He noted that the state funding of €9 million leverages further investments of up to €160 million and supports a Europe-wide pioneer project.
Industrial Scale Carbon Capture
The Brewaccs project addresses CO2 emissions that result from the thermal treatment of non-recyclable waste. The facility is designed to have a capture rate of over 90 per cent. swb-CEO Karsten Schneiker said: “With Brewaccs, we are setting a strong signal for climate neutrality: We are showing that even with unavoidable emissions, such as from the incineration of waste for electricity and heat generation, climate protection can be taken into account.”
The location in the industrial port allows the captured CO2 to be loaded directly onto ships for transport to the North Sea. This removes the need for inner-city transport by pipeline or truck. The company ambrian energy is currently examining options for the construction of necessary storage and loading facilities.
Kristina Vogt, Senator for Economic Affairs, Ports and Transformation, explained that the project addresses emissions that cannot be technically avoided and thus makes a quantifiable contribution to climate goals. She added that it reduces future costs associated with rising CO2 prices and strengthens Bremen’s position as an innovative location for climate protection.
Timeline And Additional Benefits
The energy required for the capture process will be sourced entirely from the MKK. The steam needed for CO2 separation will be provided by the power plant itself, minimising the energy input and environmental impact.
According to the current planning status, the facility is scheduled to commence operations in early 2031. The project aims to save a total of 1.5 million tonnes of CO2 by 2035. Additionally, the waste heat generated during the CCS process will be utilised for the climate-neutral supply of the district heating network in the west of the city.
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