One-third of industrial decarboniza­tion projects delayed

Decarbonization remains important to industry, but investing is proving difficult. Companies face high costs and inadequate infrastructure. As a result, some of their plans are being pushed back. RVO identified the obstacles facing major industrial emitters. Food manufacturers were also included in the study. Financial viability, in particular, makes it difficult to move from planning to implementation.

Companies postpone investments

RVO interviewed 65 companies that together account for approximately 80% of Dutch industrial CO₂ emissions. They have a combined total of 263 decarbonization projects planned for 2030. One-third have been delayed by one to two years. Companies are also increasingly postponing their investment decisions.

Financial challenges affect 75% of projects scheduled for completion before 2030. High electricity prices and grid charges, in particular, limit the viability of investments. The high cost of hydrogen is another obstacle.

Waiting for a higher-capacity grid connection

Of the 65 companies, 43 need a higher-capacity electricity grid connection. Of those, 28 are on a waiting list for that connection. Inadequate infrastructure threatens to prevent 36 projects from going ahead. Together, these projects could reduce CO₂ emissions by approximately 3.5 million metric tons.

Of the companies surveyed, 26 belong to Cluster 6. These companies are located outside the Netherlands’ five regional industrial clusters. They include eight food manufacturers. The overall figures cover all the companies surveyed collectively.

Economic viability under pressure

Three-quarters rate the economic viability of investments as poor or very poor. Lengthy permitting processes and insufficient demand for sustainable products are contributing factors. Companies also cite competition from abroad as an obstacle.

The companies have further decarbonization plans for the period 2031–2040. These could reduce CO₂ emissions by an additional 14.4 million metric tons. More than 80% of that potential reduction remains uncertain.

Rvo.nl