11 September 2008: The European Commission has launched a call for tenders for an external service provider to assist in establishing and running a network of projects to demonstrate the use of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology in power plants.

The deadline for submission of tenders is 6 October 2008, and the selection process should be completed by the beginning of 2009. The aim of the network is to allow early-movers to exchange information and experience from large-scale industrial demonstration of the use of CCS technologies and to optimize costs through shared collective actions. The network may be complemented by other measures that support the further development of CCS technologies, building towards the establishment of a European Industrial Initiative on CCS. The call underlines CCS technology’s potential in helping reduce carbon dioxide emissions, especially from power plants using fossil fuels such as coal or gas. It recalls that the International Energy Agency estimates that the use of CCS could account for 20% of the achievable global greenhouse gas emissions reductions by 2050. [Europa press release]