Carbon capture, storage and utilization is the vital technology for Romania to achieve its goal of climate neutrality while maintaining a competitive industry, said Marinela Drăcea, president of CIROM, the association representing all cement producers in the country.
But the investment in a carbon capture unit can be up to 500 million euros.
“Recycling is not enough; we need carbon capture technology. Otherwise, this industry will not decarbonize, because it has two types of CO2 emissions: one from burning the fuel and the second from the raw material, the limestone used to make cement. More than 60% of total emissions in this industry are generated by the use of limestone,” Drăcea explained, at the Energy Strategy Summit 2024, organized by Energynomics.
After capture, the carbon has to be transported to the point of use, which requires new infrastructure for its transportation. The cost of a capture installation for each cement plant ranges from 300-500 million euros and the implementation time is 5-7 years. But installing such a unit will increase the energy consumption of a cement plant by 50-120% compared to normal consumption.
It needs a predictable legal framework and access to renewable energy. Such investments could be financed by the EU-managed innovation fund, which has so far funded projects worth 1.7bn euros, with installations to become operational between 2027-2029.
The industry is ready to co-finance these projects and now is the time to attract funds to Romania, but a joint decision by all stakeholders is needed.
DOWNLOAD THE PRESENTATION OF MARINELA DRĂCEA
“We also need universities to train people to work in this field,” she said.
Energy Strategy Summit 2024 was organized by Energynomics, with support from our partners: ABB, ADC, Alive Capital, BayWa r.e, BCR, Best Tools Company, CRC Energy, Distribuție Energie Electrica Romania, DRI, Eaton Electric, Electrica Furnizare, Elektra Renewable Support, EnergoBit, Energo Power, Enevo Group, Evryo, Exim Banca Românească, Hidroelectrica, Horvath, Huawei, Jinko Solar, Keno Energy, MET România Energy, Nofar Energy, Nuclearelectrica, OX2, Photomate, PNE, Polytrade, Renomia Gallagher, Romgaz, Schneider Electric, SolaX Power, TDP Partners, ThinkBlu Solution, Transelectrica, Vertis, WALDEVAR Energy. With the support of Alexandrion Group, Mobexpert.
Strategic partners: ACUE, AFEER, AIIR, AHK România, ARPEE, CNR-CME, CRE, EFdeN, EPG, HENRO, FPPG, PATRES, ROMATOM, RPIA, RWEA, SAMER.
Parteneri media: CISOLAR, The Voice of Renewables