Sep 10, 2026
Norway’s Northern Lights project has demonstrated that carbon dioxide (CO₂) capture, transport and permanent storage infrastructure can become not only an instrument of climate policy but also a means of strengthening industrial competitiveness. The Baltic States are moving in a similar direction – KN Energies, coordinator of the CCS Baltic Consortium project, is planning a CO₂ transshipment terminal in Klaipėda, which is expected to become part of the region’s first open-access CO₂ capture and storage value chain. The project would bring new cargo flows to the Port of Klaipėda, create jobs and provide heavy industry with an opportunity to reduce emissions without sacrificing competitiveness.
CO₂ capture potential in the region – millions of tonnes per year
Norway’s Northern Lights CO₂ transport and storage project, which began operations in 2025, has become one of Europe’s most prominent examples of how CO₂ captured at industrial facilities in different countries can be transported to shared infrastructure for permanent storage beneath the North Sea seabed. CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) technology makes it possible to capture CO₂ generated by industrial facilities before it enters the atmosphere, transport it and safely store it at designated sites. It is particularly relevant for heavy industries such as cement production, where some emissions are difficult to eliminate solely by modernising production processes or switching to cleaner energy sources.
The expansion of the Norwegian project also demonstrates growing demand for such services – its capacity is planned to increase from 1.5 million to more than 5 million tonnes of CO₂ per year by 2028.
A similar value chain is being planned in the Baltic States. CO₂ captured at industrial facilities would be transported to the planned terminal in Klaipėda, transferred to specialised vessels and shipped to permanent storage sites in the North Sea. Klaipėda would thus become a connecting link between Baltic industry and Europe’s developing permanent CO₂ storage infrastructure.
According to Rūta Tumėnienė, Head of New Energies at KN Energies, the Norwegian example serves as an important reference point for the planning of the Klaipėda terminal: “We are drawing on international best practices, including the experience of Northern Lights, while the terminal’s technological and infrastructure solutions will be tailored to the planned CO₂ volumes and the needs of regional industry.”
According to Tumėnienė, market data already demonstrates the need for such infrastructure. A survey of Lithuanian and Latvian industrial companies conducted by KN Energies in 2025 showed that potential CO₂ capture volumes could reach approximately 1.8 million tonnes per year from 2030 and almost 4 million tonnes by 2040.
A new boost for Klaipėda’s economy
The Klaipėda terminal is planned to eventually reach a capacity of 2.75 million tonnes of CO₂ per year. It is also estimated that additional CO₂ flows could increase cargo volumes at the Port of Klaipėda by around 5% and strengthen the city’s role as an energy and logistics hub in the Baltic region.
According to Tumėnienė, the economic benefits of the project would extend beyond the port. It is estimated that the project would create more than 100 direct and over 1,000 indirect jobs, while also stimulating the development of logistics and engineering services. Such infrastructure would also help preserve jobs in existing industries by providing companies with more opportunities to reduce their emissions.
“This is not only an environmental project but also an investment in the competitiveness of Lithuanian industry, job retention, the growth of the Port of Klaipėda and the region’s long-term economic development,” Tumėnienė emphasises.
She notes that the project would also increase demand for highly qualified specialists. “It is important to start developing the competencies that will be needed in the coming years as CO₂ capture, transport and storage infrastructure is developed. In the long term, the experience and expertise of such specialists will become an important part of the country’s competitiveness,” says Tumėnienė.
The project has already passed an important milestone – the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) programme for the planned CO₂ transshipment terminal in Klaipėda has been approved, with preparation of the EIA report being the next stage.
Akmenė expects benefits for businesses across the region
Akmenės cementas will be one of the sources of captured CO₂ in this value chain – CO₂ captured at the plant would be transported to the Klaipėda transshipment terminal and from there shipped for permanent storage beneath the North Sea seabed. Vitalijus Mitrofanovas, Mayor of Akmenė District Municipality, says the impact of the project is expected to be felt not only by the company itself but across the entire region.
“Our experience of investing in the Free Economic Zone has shown that every euro invested in industry or higher value-added technologies can generate approximately one and a half euros in additional investment around it,” says Mitrofanovas.
According to him, the value of the Akmenės cementas carbon capture project amounts to approximately EUR 500–600 million. During the implementation phase alone, this could increase demand for accommodation, catering, construction and various other services, while creating more opportunities for businesses not only in Akmenė District but across the wider region.
The mayor also sees long-term benefits in the opportunity to reshape the direction of the industrial region – placing greater emphasis on greener production and reducing the carbon footprint of its products.
“Akmenė District is one of Lithuania’s most prominent industrial regions. But we can also be a municipality where large-scale industry is green and environmentally friendly. This would make the municipality itself more attractive. Today, all regions are competing for people, and we can see that environmental considerations, quality of life and the opportunity to work and live in a place where sustainability is taken seriously are becoming increasingly important to young people. I therefore believe that the implementation of this project will genuinely stimulate and strengthen the entire region,” says Mitrofanovas.
