Brussels, 25 June 2025 –
In response to the publication of the European Commission’s Clean Industrial State Aid Framework (CISAF), CCS Europe calls for equal recognition of carbon capture and storage alongside other clean technologies.
The framework allows CCS projects to benefit from up to 45% aid intensity. Meanwhile hydrogen projects will be eligible for up to 60%.
“With this state aid framework, the European Commission is clearly picking winners,” said Bergur Løkke Rasmussen, Director of CCS Europe. “Hydrogen is identified as the poster child of the EU’s clean energy transition. But the reality is that CCS must be part of the picture for hard-to-abate industry. We need parity with other clean technologies to scale CCS and drive emissions down,” he added.
The framework also excludes CO₂ transport and storage infrastructure from the scope of aid.
“These elements are critical to making CCS projects viable, and their omission risks further delaying the development of cross-border CO₂ networks. Time is really not on our side,” Rasmussen continued.
CCS Europe nonetheless acknowledges the decision to set the permitted entry-into-operation timeline at 60 months as a realistic target to give developers and investors the certainty they need.
On hydrogen, the framework is accommodating of low-carbon hydrogen, including that produced from fossil fuels with CCS, while maintaining a clear priority for renewable hydrogen. The framework sets the requirement for at least 30% of support to go to green hydrogen as a safeguard.
“Fully realising Europe’s climate ambitions will require a public funding approach that promotes technology neutrality and duly recognises the fundamental role of CCS in achieving net-zero,” Rasmussen concluded.