Frontier Supports Norway's First Carbon Capture Retrofit: A New Era for Waste-to-Energy?

April 2, 2025

Frontier has announced a significant investment aimed at revolutionizing waste management in Norway through carbon capture technology. This move comes as the country works to implement its first-ever carbon capture retrofit at a waste-to-energy facility operated by Hafslund Celsio. The initiative represents a forward-thinking approach to energy recovery and emission reduction in waste treatment.

Investment and Agreement Details

Frontier has signed offtake agreements with Hafslund Celsio, the largest district heating provider in Norway and operator of the biggest waste incineration plant near Oslo. This partnership will see a $31.6 million investment from Frontier to facilitate the capture of 100,000 tons of CO₂ from 2029 to 2030. Norway's Minister of Energy, Terje Aasland, expressed support for this collaboration, highlighting the role of private companies and the voluntary carbon removal market in advancing projects in challenging sectors such as waste incineration. “This kind of public-private cooperation contributes to creating a functioning market that will accelerate the development of further projects,” Aasland stated.

The Carbon Capture Project's Foundations

The carbon capture project is bolstered by backing from both government programs and private sector participation. Norway’s Longship initiative is instrumental in funding CO₂ capture and storage through infrastructure like the Northern Lights project. Additionally, the City of Oslo is contributing resources to ensure the project's success. The agreements with Frontier guarantee a reliable revenue stream, aiding in the project’s viability.

Notable participants in this funding round include major companies such as Stripe, Google, and JPMorgan Chase, alongside smaller firms like Aledade and Match Group, demonstrating a broad spectrum of corporate interest in sustainable practices.

Hannah Bebbington, Head of Deployment at Frontier, emphasized the dual benefits of waste-to-energy facilities retrofitted with carbon capture. She noted that such measures not only reduce emissions but also generate cleaner energy. The project positions Hafslund Celsio as a pioneer in this sector, potentially influencing around 500 similar facilities across Europe to adopt CO₂ removal technology.

Hafslund Celsio’s Unique Facility

The Oslo waste incineration facility currently processes an impressive 350,000 metric tons of sorted waste annually. In the waste treatment process, CO₂ is released in two forms: biogenic CO₂ from organic waste and fossil CO₂ from non-organic materials like plastics.

The retrofit will enhance the plant's capabilities, allowing it to capture both types of emissions, with projections indicating the facility could capture 175,000 tons of each form of CO₂ each year. Following capture, the CO₂ will be transported to Northern Lights for permanent geological storage. While the offtake from Frontier focuses on biogenic CO₂, the inclusion of fossil CO₂ in the project represents a significant step toward broader emission reductions.

Jannicke Gerner Bjerkås, Director of CCS and Carbon Markets at Hafslund Celsio, expressed pride in leading this innovative effort, stating that it validates a model that can be replicated across Europe.

The Importance of Waste-to-Energy Upgrades

Norway's stringent waste regulations necessitate the efficient disposal of non-recyclable materials through waste-to-energy plants. These facilities convert waste into energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions that would otherwise arise from landfilling organic materials. Additionally, carbon capture retrofits are seen as a cost-effective strategy to enhance CO₂ removal capabilities at these plants.

Estimates indicate that retrofitting waste-to-energy facilities could potentially remove up to 400 million tons of CO₂ annually by 2050, with current technology capable of capturing about 100 million tons each year.

Significant Impact on Methane Emissions

The European Environment Agency (EEA) has reported the substantial role that waste-to-energy operations play in lowering methane emissions, which have a far greater global warming potential than CO₂. By diverting waste from landfills—known to produce 80% of the sector's methane emissions—countries can mitigate harmful emissions effectively.

Germany, for example, has seen considerable success in reducing methane emissions through policies promoting waste-to-energy processing, showcasing how strategic regulations can drive down detrimental emissions.

Future Prospects for Waste-to-Energy and Carbon Capture

According to Precedence Research, the global waste-to-energy market, valued at approximately USD 51.23 billion in 2025, is projected to grow to USD 92.95 billion by 2034. This growth is driven by increased awareness surrounding waste management and the pressing impacts of climate change.

Europe remains the leader in the waste-to-energy market, holding a 42% share. Companies like Veolia and Suez are also contributing to advancements in this field, driven by rigorous regulations on emissions and corporate responsibility.

Frontier's commitment to this innovative waste-to-energy project not only aims to enhance sustainability but also strives to set a precedent for future carbon capture initiatives in waste management across Europe.

This landmark project reflects a significant stride toward integrating carbon capture technology within existing waste-to-energy systems, ultimately aiding in the reduction of carbon emissions and supporting broader climate goals.