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Helsingborg signs landmark Net Zero deal

Helsingborg signs landmark Net Zero deal
Commissioned in 2013, Öresundskraft's Filborna facility is a 72 MWth/18 MWe waste-to-energy combined heat and power (CHP) plant that processes around 220,000 tonnes of non-recyclable household- and industrial waste (photo courtesy Öresundskraft).

In Sweden, municipal energy company Öresundskraft AB has announced a "monumental leap" in environmental sustainability by signing a Letter of Intent (LoI) with the City of Helsingborg for the procurement of 12,000 tonnes negative emissions per annum for a decade, a key step towards becoming a net zero city.

At the heart of this venture is Öresundskraft’s plan to establish a Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) facility at its Filborna 90 MW waste-fired combined heat and power (CHP) plant, slated to be operational by 2027.

The project, which recently received significant government funding from the Swedish Energy Agency, is set to revolutionize carbon emission reduction strategies.

The CCS technology at Filborna will enable the efficient capture and permanent geological storage of both fossil and biogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. This process involves deep underground mineralization of the captured CO2, effectively removing it from the atmosphere.

The transformation of CO2 into a mineral stone deep beneath the surface ensures its permanent elimination from the atmosphere.

Our progress with the CCS facility is a testament to the viability of this technology. We are currently in the process of selecting contractors to construct the facility and negotiating with transport and storage providers. We aim to make the final investment decision by the first half of 2025, with the plan to be fully operational in 2027. This initiative is crucial for the people of Helsingborg and for the city to meet its climate goals. We are therefore delighted that the city is playing a significant role in making CCS a reality, said Soraya Axelsson, Commercial Director of the CCS project at Öresundskraft.

Purchase carbon removal certificates

In a bid to offset their emissions, organizations, and businesses can purchase negative emission certificates. It is these certificates, amounting to 12,000 tonnes of CO2, that the City of Helsingborg intends to acquire under the newly signed Letter of Intent with Öresundskraft.

This move aligns with Helsingborg’s goal to achieve climate neutrality by 2030 and will enable the city’s administrative bodies to reach net-zero emissions.

Christian Orsing, Chair of  Helsingborg City Council, emphasizes the city’s high aspirations in climate action.

Helsingborg was recognized as one of the EU’s most climate-smart cities in 2021, and even if we have come far, we still have much to do. This initiative not only guarantees climate-neutral district heating for our residents and businesses but also paves the way for local enterprises to invest in negative emissions. The agreement sends a powerful message to the business community, an indispensable ally in our transition to a sustainable future, said Christian Orsing.

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