CO₂ capture at Knippegroen: ENGIE investigates feasibility in industrial practice
ENGIE is testing a CCU installation at the Knippegroen power station in the port of Ghent. The aim is to determine whether it is technically and economically feasible to extract CO₂ directly from industrial flue gases.
The installation purifies the residual gases from the power station in several stages, capturing up to 90 to 95 per cent of the CO₂. The technology is being tested under a variety of operating conditions with the aim of gaining insight into its performance, flexibility and potential for upscaling. In Belgium, this is one of the few projects where CCU is already being tested in a real industrial environment.
From test project to future option
CO₂ capture is not yet an economically viable solution, but economies of scale are crucial to reducing costs. Rising CO₂ prices and stricter climate targets make it clear that additional solutions are needed for certain industrial processes. By investing in test projects now, ENGIE is building up the knowledge needed for future upscaling.
Added value for the Smart Delta Resources region
Knippegroen illustrates the power of partnerships in the Smart Delta Resources region. The power plant runs on residual gases from ArcelorMittal and supplies the electricity it generates directly back to the steel company. Adding CCU to this ecosystem creates additional scope for reducing emissions, although net zero remains particularly challenging for sectors such as steel.
Key data for the Knippegroen project (CCU)
- Location: Knippegroen power station of ENGIE (Laborelec), Ghent harbour
- Objective: To test the technical and economic feasibility of CO₂ capture
- Capture rate: approx. 90–95%
- Scale: Demonstration plant (± 6 metres high)
- Scaling up requires not only technology, but also infrastructure and a complete ecosystem.
- Duration: > 1 year test phase
- Phase 1: testing at Knippegroen gas power station (performance & optimisation)
- Phase 2: possible deployment at other power stations (e.g. biomass)
