Stockholm Exergi has announced its decision to construct one of the world’s largest facilities dedicated to capturing and permanently storing biogenic carbon dioxide, marking a major breakthrough in global efforts to scale up carbon removals. The SEK 13 billion investment aims to support Sweden and the European Union in achieving their long-term climate goals.
Construction of the plant, which will be located at the energy port near Värtaverket in Stockholm, is set to begin immediately. The facility is expected to be operational by 2028 and will have the capacity to capture and permanently store 800,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually — a volume exceeding the emissions generated by all road traffic in Stockholm during the same timeframe.
“This is a historic moment for Stockholm Exergi and for the green transition,” said Anders Egelrud, CEO of Stockholm Exergi. “We have worked purposefully for many years to make bio-CCS a reality, and today’s decision means we are moving from plans to implementation. With this, we assume global leadership in the industry for permanent removals.”
The project has been made possible through a combination of public funding and long-term private sector commitments to purchase negative emission certificates — enabling companies with ambitious climate goals to contribute to permanent CO₂ removal.
Stockholm Exergi’s initiative employs bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (bio-CCS), a technology in use since the 1970s. The company has operated a test facility since 2019. The captured carbon will be transported by Northern Lights — Stockholm Exergi’s chosen partner for CO₂ transport and storage — and stored in subsea geological formations where it will mineralise over time, ensuring permanent containment.
“This investment decision reflects years of dedication, perseverance and collaboration,” said Carlo Maddalena, Senior Director at APG and Chair of Ankhiale. “Bio-CCS will play a crucial role in the journey to net-zero, and we are proud to support a project of such global significance.”
Nearly 120 years since Värtaverket first opened, Stockholm Exergi continues to provide heat and electricity while now also removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
“Stockholm is leading by example in climate action, both nationally and internationally,” said Emilia Bjuggren, Chair of Stockholms Stadshus AB. “Alongside emission reductions, bio-CCS will be vital to achieving our goal of making Stockholm a climate-positive city by 2030. We must accelerate the transition, and we are determined to do so.”
With this investment, Stockholm Exergi and Northern Lights are laying the foundation for a new European industry focused on large-scale carbon removals, positioning the Nordics as frontrunners in the global climate transition.
