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Carbon Capture and Storage Experiences Limited Growth in 2011
Funding for large-scale carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects remained relatively unchanged in 2011, with total funding from governments reaching $23.5 billion.1 (See Figure 1.) Overall, the number of active and planned large-scale CCS projects declined in 2011, although the total operating storage capacity increased.
In March 2012 the Global CCS Institute identified 75 large-scale fully integrated CCS projects in 17 countries at various stages of development—4 projects fewer than at the end of 2010.2 Only 8 of these plants are operational, the same number as in 2009 and 2010.3 (See Figure 2.) These 8 projects store a combined total of 23.18 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) a year (Mtpa), about as much as emitted annually by 4.5 million passenger vehicles in the United States.4 Operating storage capacity has more than doubled since late 2010.5
At the end of 2011, the United States remained the largest funder of large-scale CCS projects ($7.4 billion), having allocated $6.1 billion to projects and with an additional $1.3 billion set aside for future projects.6 The European Union has announced the next largest amount of funding ($5.6 billion), although Canada has actually allocated more money to date ($2.9 billion).7 In March 2011 the United Kingdom decided to no longer pursue a CCS Electricity Levy; instead, general taxes will be used to fund that nation’s CCS projects.8
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