APOLLOCO₂: The project that brings Greece to the center of the carbon capture market

DESFA has secured European funding of 169.3 million euros for the APOLLOCO₂ project, which creates the first major Greek infrastructure for the transport, liquefaction and storage of carbon dioxide with the aim of decarbonizing the industry.

Greece is attempting to gain a leading role in the new European carbon capture and storage market , expanding its footprint beyond natural gas infrastructure. At the heart of this strategy is DESFA ’s APOLLOCO₂ project , which has secured European funding of €169.3 million and aims to create the first large-scale Greek infrastructure for the transport, liquefaction and management of CO₂ . The project is expected to be a critical part of the carbon capture, transport and storage chain, serving not only the Greek market but also the wider Southeastern Europe and the Mediterranean.

The investment marks a new stage in the energy transition, as it links the development of energy networks with decarbonization technologies considered essential to achieve European climate goals.

The financing agreement was signed

The implementation of the project is significantly strengthened after the signing of the Grant Agreement between DESFA and the European Commission.

Through this agreement, APOLLOCO₂ secures €169.3 million in funding from the European Union's Innovation Fund , one of the most important financial tools for innovation and decarbonization projects.

European support creates the conditions for the development of the first integrated large-scale Greek infrastructure that will serve the transport and liquefaction of carbon dioxide, while strengthening the country's role in Europe's energy infrastructure.

Revithoussa acquires a dual energy role

The central point of the project is the Revithoussa terminal station .

Within the framework of APOLLOCO₂-LT, the creation of a carbon dioxide liquefaction, temporary storage and loading unit is planned, transforming Revythoussa into a multifunctional energy facility.

After the investment is completed, the station will not only serve the regasification of liquefied natural gas (LNG), but will also incorporate new functions related to the management and transport of liquefied CO₂ .

One of the key technological advantages of the project is the utilization of the existing cryogenic infrastructure of the LNG station for the carbon dioxide liquefaction process. This solution is expected to reduce both the required energy consumption and operating costs, making the maritime transport of CO₂ more economical .

The project also includes the development of a floating FLSU unit, which will have conventional liquefaction facilities for periods of limited LNG flows, as well as temporary storage tanks for liquefied carbon dioxide.

Critical link in the CCS chain

APOLLOCO₂ is a key element of the emerging Greek Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) chain.

The project was selected during the fifth call for major projects of the Innovation Fund and had already been classified as a Project of Common Interest (PCI No. 13.11), a recognition that confirms its strategic importance for European energy infrastructure.

Its role is to link investments made in carbon dioxide capture with permanent storage facilities , such as the offshore Prinos field, creating a unified mechanism for the transport and management of carbon emissions both in Greece and in the wider Mediterranean region.

Open access network for industry

The overall architecture of the project is based on the creation of an open carbon dioxide transport and extraction network.

The system will be able to serve industrial facilities and energy companies, allowing many different emitters to utilize common infrastructure for the transport and storage of their emissions.

This specific approach significantly reduces the cost of participation for businesses, facilitates the development of synergies between different sectors and supports the adaptation of Greek industry to the stricter environmental requirements of the European Union, at a time when energy costs remain particularly high.

At the same time, it contributes to the formation of an internal European market for CCS services, expanding the possibilities for cross-border cooperation.

The timetable until 2030

The next period will focus on the technical and commercial maturation of the project.

The goal is to complete all required studies, finalize partnerships and prepare the construction phase, so that the commercial operation of APOLLOCO₂ can begin at the end of 2030.

The timetable has been designed to keep pace with the development of carbon capture and storage projects being promoted in Greece, allowing the simultaneous activation of the entire CCS chain.

The regional significance of the investment was also highlighted at a recent European conference in Brussels, where the role of APOLLOCO₂ in the development of cross-border carbon capture, transport and storage infrastructure in the Mediterranean and South-Eastern Europe was presented. This development confirms that the project is not seen as a purely Greek investment, but as part of a wider European network that will support the energy transition and the achievement of emission reduction goals in the coming decades.

source: newmoney.gr