Fluxys, Gasunie & Energinet.dk to Be Carbon-Neutral by 2050

Denmark's Energinet.dk, the Netherlands' Gasunie and Fluxys Belgium have signed a joint declaration to make their gas activities carbon-neutral by 2050.

As part of the landmark deal, each of the companies will implement a number of measures to make sure that their gas supply systems are completely carbon-neutral by 2050. The three companies say they will exchange information between themselves, including relevant know-how, to achieve the goal. They will also "explore options for joint demonstration projects", and "work to facilitate the establishment of a well-functioning renewable gas certificate market in Northern Europe."

Peder Østermark Andreasen, CEO of Energinet.dk said the declaration was vital to ensuring a strong and environmentally sound energy system in Europe for years to come.

"As unbundled gas infrastructure companies we have a key role in ensuring that the European energy system is developed in a way that leads towards a low carbon economy," he said. "We have a long strategic planning scope, in which the green vision of Denmark and Europe in 2050 is a key target. That requires cooperation with like-minded partners."

CEO of Fluxys Belgium, Walter Peeraer, agreed.

"In the coming decades gas systems have a key role to play in developing a low-carbon economy towards 2050 in the European Union. They offer excellent opportunities to secure an affordable energy supply to European citizens and companies and, at the same time, facilitate the increase of the share of renewable energy."

Chief among the plans to become carbon-neutral is the intention to increase the use of "green gas" (gas produced from biological waste), gas storage to facilitate the conversion of renewable energy into hydrogen, and the conversion of vehicles, such as LNG ships and heavy trucks, using oil to compressed natural gas.

The companies may also seek to use green certificates as defined by the Clean Development Mechanism agreed under the Kyoto protocol in the future. The declaration also sees the potential CO2 storage being used for producing Synthetic Natural Gas (SNG) from excess electricity from variable renewable energy sources.

CEO of Gasunie, Paul van Gelder, said the companies would seek to undertake the terms of the declaration without excessive costs on the customer.

"The ultimate challenge is to carry out the urgently required transition without unacceptable financial burdens for EU citizens and without jeopardising EU energy security," he said.

"The availability of well-developed gas networks in Europe will help to accommodate the increasing share of renewable energy."