Bavaria presents plan for CCS and CCU

18.07.2025

Source: E & M powernews

The Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs has published its own action plan for technologies for the capture, use and storage of carbon dioxide.

The CCS/CCU action plan presented by the ministry is intended to be part of the decarbonization of the Bavarian economy. "The aim is to provide companies in Bavaria with planning security," the Munich-based authority announced.

The action plan consists of a total of 20 individual measures that are intended to enable the industrial and economically viable application of technologies for the capture and storage of CO2 (CCS) or the subsequent utilization of CO2 (CCU) in Bavaria. It has been developed in close cooperation with stakeholders from industry and science as well as relevant associations.

Around seven to ten million tons of carbon dioxide are produced in Bavaria every year, which can be considered technically "unavoidable." These emissions are mainly produced in the cement, lime and chemical industries as well as in waste management. CCS technologies are seen as a key lever for reducing CO2 emissions. The action plan comprises 20 measures in seven fields of action, which are to be implemented by 2027 and subsequently evaluated.

Bavaria does not yet have any relevant CO2 transport infrastructure. The development of a network to transport the captured CO2, also using existing natural gas pipelines, is a key measure. According to the action plan, Bavaria sees itself not only as a source of emissions, but also as a transit region for CO2 from Austria and the Czech Republic.

A study on the geological suitability of possible storage sites in Bavaria is planned. Bavaria wants to examine whether it is possible to inject CO2 on its own territory following the amendment of the Carbon Dioxide Storage Act. Approval processes are to be accelerated and coordinated at an early stage. The aim is to align with the standards for the hydrogen core network in order to leverage synergies.

Dedicated office for CCU/CCS

An office for CCU/CCS is to be created to provide technical support, supplemented by a permanent group of experts with representatives from industry, science and administration. Public relations work and public dialog, especially in the case of CO2 storage in Bavaria, are part of a multi-level communication concept. In addition, access to skilled workers is to be strengthened through targeted further training courses, as the implementation of CCS requires specialist technical knowledge.

The Free State of Bavaria expressly emphasizes the importance of material CO2 utilization (CCU) as part of a future carbon cycle economy. Using green hydrogen, CO2 can be used to produce synthetic fuels or chemical base materials. This path is intended to replace fossil carbon sources in the long term and make Bavaria's industry more independent.

Hubert Aiwanger, Bavarian State Minister for Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy and Deputy Prime Minister of the Free State of Bavaria, explains: "The action plan is an important building block for decarbonization. In some sectors, CO2 emissions are process-related. The measures in the action plan will now help these companies."

The "CCU/CCS Action Plan for Carbon Management in Bavaria" can be downloaded from the website of the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs.

Author: Stefan Sagmeister