The Netherlands takes the lead on Europe's next CO2 Transport and Storage Network

The Netherlands is rapidly emerging as a central hub for Europe’s next major climate infrastructure project: a cross-border CO₂ transport and storage network designed to link industrial emitters across Northwest Europe with permanent storage facilities in the Dutch North Sea. A coalition comprising five major Dutch initiatives: Porthos, Aramis, CO2next, Delta Rhine Corridor, and Delta Schelde CO2nnection, is advancing significantly, having secured substantial funding through the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF Energy). These projects aim to transport up to 35 million tonnes of CO₂ annually, positioning the region to play a pivotal role in meeting the EU’s Net-Zero Industry Act target of establishing 50 million tonnes of annual injection capacity by 2030.

The strategic trajectory of this 'Dutch CCS quintet' will be showcased at the PCI Energy Days in Brussels on December 2^nd and 3^rd, 2025, where the projects will demonstrate how their coordinated development creates a coherent, interconnected CO₂ infrastructure system. WConcepts that once appeared to be an ambitious dream (a seamless European CO₂ network) are now within reach. This shift is driven by technical progress, strategic planning, and strong political support for cross-border collaboration.

Building a Cross-Border CO₂ Transport System

Interoperability serves as a defining feature of these five projects. Moving beyond the development of isolated pipelines or terminals, the Netherlands is designing an integrated CO₂ backbone connecting ports, industrial clusters, and offshore storage sites across national borders. Multiple key corridors are currently in the advanced stages of development and have received funding from the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) scheme.

1. The Delta Rhine Corridor received a total of €9 million — €5 million for Dutch studies led by Gasunie and €4 million for German work by OGE. This funding will expedite the project’s transition into its next development phase. Additional funding of €47 million will support the construction of infrastructure to link Rotterdam with Germany’s industrial regions.
2. The Delta Schelde CO₂nection project, which was awarded €22 million, aims to establish a CO₂ route between Rotterdam and Antwerp, thereby reinforcing CCS cooperation between the Netherlands and Belgium.
3. The CO₂next project has received €33 million to build a liquid CO₂ import, storage and transit terminal in the Port of Rotterdam, a critical node in handling CO₂ shipped from external emitters.
4. Aramis was awarded €124 million to develop large-scale carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) infrastructure to serve hard-to-abate industrial sectors across Northwest Europe.
5. Porthos, the flagship Dutch CCS project, received over €102 million for infrastructure works and €6.5 million for studies, reflecting its central role in the network.

The European Commission has classified all five initiatives as Projects of Common Interest (PCIs), underscoring their strategic importance for the EU’s long-term climate and energy security goals. According to the consortium, the collaborative development of these projects is laying the foundation for a robust, scalable CO₂ transport and storage system that could eventually operate at a continental level.

Rapid Progress and Next Steps

While long-term visions frequently dominate CCS announcements, the Dutch projects are distinguished by their immediate, tangible progress. Notably, Porthos reports that construction is well underway; onshore and offshore pipelines have already been built, compression facilities are advancing, and legacy gas wells are undergoing conversion into CO₂ injection sites on the Dutch North Sea shelf. The Porthos platform, originally designed for gas production, is being repurposed to serve as a key injection point. This exemplifies how existing fossil fuel assets can be adapted to support climate-aligned infrastructure.

The consortium posits that this progress validates that a “smart, safe, and affordable” CCS network is not just an idea, but a rapidly maturing reality. Consequently, Dutch efforts are helping to create a potential model for Europe-wide CCS deployment. By connecting multiple CO₂ sources, such as industrial clusters, ports, and cross-border partners, with permanent geological storage, the network aims to support decarbonization in sectors where reducing emissions is currently challenging.

Parallel to technical advancements, governance structures are evolving. In February 2026, Hans Meeuwsen, Project Director at Porthos, will step down, initiating a search for a successor to guide the project through commissioning and into full operation. During the interim, the remaining board members, Helen Miley, Dorus Bakker, Michiel Bekker, and Marco Goense, will ensure that the project continues to run without interruption. The steering committee, comprising Gasunie, Energie Beheer Nederland (EBN), and the Port of Rotterdam Authority, will oversee the transition.

Operational commencement of the first phase of the Dutch CCS backbone is anticipated in 2026. This will mark a major achievement for the Netherlands and Europe's industrial decarbonization strategy. Once operational, these five interconnected projects could catalyze a larger EU-wide network, allowing countries with limited geological storage capacity to access the Netherlands' extensive offshore reserves.

Collectively, the Dutch CCS quintet is transforming the way Europe manages its industrial emissions, moving from fragmented national projects towards a unified, cross-border system capable of capturing, transporting, and permanently storing CO₂ on a large scale. With construction accelerating, funding secured, and political momentum mounting, Northwest Europe's integrated CO₂ network has evolved from a distant concept into a tangible reality, helping to power the transition to a climate-neutral future.

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