Today, Minister Adriaansens (Economic Affairs and Climate) paid a working visit to Twence. This working visit was centred around the CO2 capture plant that is currently under construction. With this plant, Twence is making an important contribution to reducing CO2 emissions associated with generating energy when incinerating non-recyclable waste.
Together with its partners, the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate (EZK) is working towards a sustainable and enterprising Netherlands. Twence plays an important role in regional sustainability. We recover as many raw materials as possible from waste, biomass and solar energy and produce energy as a way of contributing to the circular economy as well as the regional energy transition. In 2021, EZK made available a subsidy of 14.3 million for the construction of a CO2 capture plant at Twence. With this unique plant, Twence is significantly contributing to the reduction of CO2 emissions and thus to its climate goals. By the end of 2023, the new CO2 capture plant will be operational.
The largest producer of sustainable energy
The first part of the working visit consisted of a tour of the waste-to-energy plant. Twence generates energy from non-reusable residual and commercial waste. Twence is the largest producer of sustainable energy in the province of Overijssel. The heat that is released is used to make industrial processes more sustainable and for heating homes and businesses. With its partners, Twence is working on the realisation of the Regional Heating Network Twente (Regionaal Warmtenet Twente (RWT)), which has the potential to take many thousand homes and businesses off natural gas.
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions
CO2
is released when energy is generated from waste. CO2 is a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. This is something we aim to reduce on a global scale. The climate act sets a goal of emitting 55% less greenhouse gases by 2030, compared to 1990, and being completely climate neutral by 2050. The CO2
capture plant currently under construction makes a significant contribution to these sustainability goals.
Closing Cycles Together
From the flue gases produced during the combustion process, CO2 is captured and supplied in liquid form to a variety of sectors including greenhouse horticulture to grow crops. The plant thus not only reduces local CO2
emissions, but also contributes to sustainability objectives throughout the chain. In doing so, Twence closes cycles and contributes to a circular economy.
Making the industry more sustainable is crucial
'Incineration plants like Twence also need to become more sustainable. And we innovate in this area as well! Twence is leading the way with their large-scale CO2 capture installation, setting a prime example to other companies in the industry', Minister Adriaansens said.
Marc Kapteijn, general manager of Twence: 'We are grateful for EZK's support. We would not have been able to realise this CO2 capture plant without it. Our ambitions, however, reach further. Over time, we want to move towards a CO2-free production of renewable energy and circular raw materials.'
Together towards a sustainable region.