The meeting was hosted by the British Embassy and co-organised by Bellona and Hungarian environmental NGO Energia Klub.

Four keynote discussions were held. Eivind Hoff, director of Bellona Europa, presented the ’Bellona Scenario’ and shared his thoughts on the role of CCS as one of the range of emission reduction solutions (which also include lifestyle change, energy efficiency, use of renewable energy sources and land-use change). The Bellona Scenario suggests that while there is no single solution for reaching a carbon neutral economy, CCS and carbon negative energy could contribute with 30% emission cut to long-term climate mitigation targets.  

Péter Kardos, climate change expert from Energia Klub, summarized some of the key unanswered concerns related to CCS deployment. Amongst these issues are the boundary costs of emission reduction by CCS compared to that of other climate mitigation tools, and the length of the time period during which abated coal will be competitive with renewable energy production.

Chris Littlecott, from NGO Green Alliance, offered insight into the UK’s CCS policy and argued that CCS was pivotal to a sustainable energy future. György Falus, from Eötvös Loránd Geophysical Institute, contributed by discussing the state of CCS in Hungary in terms of its geological settings, technological background and readily available expertise and data.

Hungarian utilities MVM Hungarian Power Co., MOL Hungarian Oil Co., Mátra Power Plant Co. and research centre Eötvös Loránd Geophysical Institute confirmed that they have formed a consortium that is currently assessing the options for CCS deployment at Hungary’s largest lignite-fired power plant. The project is currently at the stag of carrying out pre-feasibility studies and mapping external funding opportunities.

In the debate that ensued the competitiveness of abated coal versus renewable energy sources was further discussed, together with the importance of abatement cost calculations. Most of the attendees agreed on the manageable nature of the technical risks related to CCS. Concern was nevertheless expressed regarding long-term liability issues linked to CCS.

The project consortium recognised the great expertise and experience gained throughout decades of Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) operations in Hungary. Towards the conclusion of the roundtable discussions, attendees agreed it was important to participate in the EU ’New Entrants Reserve 300’ programme  – the so-called NER300 – in order to secure funds for the CCS and renewable energy demonstration projects in Hungary.