Regulatory and Political Readiness of Southern Europe for Industrial Implementation of CCUS Technology: A Case Study from Italy and Greece

The Horizon Europe project HERCCULES aims to demonstrate the full CCUS value chain including the cement and waste-to-energy industry in Italy and Greece. The objective of this study is an in-depth analysis of strategies and CCUS regulations influencing the implementation of CCUS clusters in the targeted regions of the project. The European Climate Law targets to reduce GHGE by 55% by 2030, compared to 1990, and to reach climate neutrality by 2050. Italy is one of the largest CO2 emitters (3rd place in 2023) in EU countries. Italy and Greece have good prospects for industrial implementation of CCUS technology and becoming climate-neutral by 2050. In both countries total CO2 emissions and emissions per capita significantly decreased by 2023 compared to 1990 and 2005. Italy has ratified the London Protocol (LP) and intends to deposit a formal declaration of provisional application of its 2009 amendment to Article 6 and to enter into discussions with France and Greece about bilateral agreements on transboundary transport of CO2 to develop storage under the seabed. Greece is a member of the London Convention. Both countries are members of the Barcelona Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea Against Pollution, while now CO2 injection offshore is not prohibited. CO2 storage is not banned in Italy except for high-risk seismic areas and in Greece except for areas where the storage complex extends beyond Greek territory. However, permitting process is regulated now in Italy only for offshore depleted reservoirs.
In both countries, the first storage site (Ravenna in Italy and Prinos in Greece) is planned in depleted hydrocarbon fields which are under development now. Both storage sites are included in the 6th list of EU PCI & PMI projects for infrastructure development and cross-border cooperation. ENI already has a permit for the experimental programme "CCS Ravenna Phase 1" in Italy, while Energean has finalised the exploration of the Prinos site in Greece under the exploration permit and is waiting for a storage permit submitted in the summer of 2024. Governmental financial support is yet under discussion in Italy, but Prinos PCI has been already awarded by €150 M funding by the Greek government.