Cement maker Holcim gets EU grant for carbon capture project in Romania

A carbon capture and storage (CCS) project developed by cement maker Holcim Romania has been awarded financing under the European Union’s Innovation Fund. The European Commission has selected 61 cutting-edge net-zero technology projects across the EU to receive a total of EUR 2.9 billion in funding, covering sectors such as oil refining, hydrogen, transportation, chemicals, iron and steel, and the manufacture of components for renewable energy plants and batteries.

Holcim’s project at its plant in Câmpulung, Argeș county, involves capturing CO2 from cement and lime production and storing it underground. The first large-scale onshore CCS project of its kind in Eastern Europe is expected to produce an estimated two million tons of near-zero cement annually from 2032, according to a press release from Holcim.

The project will enable Holcim Romania to produce two million tons of near-zero cement annually

Carbon Hub CPT 01 will use proven carbon capture technology to separate CO2 from flue gases, which will then be compressed and transported for permanent, safe storage underground, the company said.

The Switzerland-based cement producer now has eight large-scale EU-supported carbon capture projects – in Germany, Poland, Belgium, France, Croatia, Greece, and Romania, according to the press release.

Decarbonizing energy-intensive industries across the EU

The European Commission said that the EUR 2.9 billion in grants follow its first call for net-zero technologies (IF24 Call), launched in December 2024, aiming to strengthen the EU’s technological leadership and accelerate the deployment of innovative decarbonization solutions.

The selected projects span 19 industrial sectors in 18 countries, focusing on energy-intensive industries, renewable energy and energy storage, net-zero mobility and buildings, cleantech manufacturing, and industrial carbon management.

The largest number of selected projects is in the cement and oil refining sectors

The largest number of awarded projects is in the refineries sector, with 11, followed by 10 in the cement and lime sector, 6 in the manufacturing of components for renewable energy, and 4 in the manufacturing of components for energy storage.

Other sectors on the list include chemicals, solar, maritime, road transportation, aviation, non-ferrous metals, hydrogen, buildings, construction materials, geothermal energy, and the manufacturing of components for energy-intensive industries.

The 61 selected projects have the potential to cut some 221 million tons of CO2 equivalent over their first decade of operation, supporting the EU’s objective of achieving climate neutrality by 2050, according to a press release from the European Commission.

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September 26, 2025

by AEA in News

Greece mulls subsidizing green energy as loan to energy-intensive industry

The Greek government intends to support energy-intensive industries through a new mechanism involving renewable energy.

In recent days, discussions took place between the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises (SEV) and the ministries of environment and energy, finance, and development. The employers’ organization presented a so-called Italian plan. It is based on Italy’s Energy Release 2.0 scheme.

The assistance would be provided in the form of a green energy loan. Around 400 industrial consumers would benefit from lower power prices, at EUR 60 per MWh, for three years. In return, they would be obliged to invest in renewable energy and return twice as much cheap electricity within a period of 20 years.

Based on the proposal, the industries are expected to add about 1.75 GW, of which 80% in photovoltaics and 20% in wind power capacity. The estimated amount of low-cost electricity that they would be entitled to is 10 TWh, and the cost of the scheme is seen at EUR 285 million per year for three years.

Brussels approval critical

SEV expressed the belief that the European Commission would easily accept the plan, after Italy got partial approval. However, another industry association, the Hellenic Union of Industrial Consumers of Energy (UNICEN), warned that the other country’s scheme has not yet formally obtained a green light from the administration in Brussels.

Namely, the EU sent a letter to the Italian authorities, listing the changes they needed to make. According to UNICEN, the Greek model would be approved if it follows the proposed revised version.

The ministers consider SEV’s proposal acceptable, but they said they needed to figure out the financing details. Other mechanisms are not yet off the table. Importantly, they cannot include direct state support because of restrictions set by European competition law. It stipulates that a government cannot simply provide money to a sector unless the scheme implies investments, such as in green energy.

“We are interested in a fair intervention with a holistic view, in order to focus on the most heavily affected businesses. Also, the scheme should not cause fiscal problems,” Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hatzidakis stated.

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