DESFA proudly announces that the APOLLOCO2 project has been awarded €169.3 million in funding under the EU’s 5th Innovation Fund Large-Scale Projects Call, marking a major milestone in the development of Greece’s first large-scale Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) midstream infrastructure, which is also one of the largest in Europe.
The APOLLOCO2 project, to be developed in cooperation with ECOLOG, member of the GASLOG group, aims to build an open-access CO2 transport and export network to enable the decarbonization of Greece’s key industrial emitters, in line with the EU’s vision for an internal CCUS market. This approach will lower entry barriers for all relevant emitters in Greece’s industry or power sector and unlock synergies with low carbon value chains. Recognized as a Project of Common Interest (PCI No. 13.11), APOLLOCO2 provides the critical midstream link in Greece’s emerging CCS value chain, connecting CO2 capture investments with storage facilities in Greece, such as the Prinos offshore site, and the wider Mediterranean region.
With this funding, DESFA will develop a CO2 liquefaction, temporary storage, and export terminal on Revithoussa Island, transforming it into an integrated LNG regasification and CO2 liquefaction terminal. This project features the unique innovation of leveraging Revithoussa LNG Terminal’s cooling energy to liquefy CO2, significantly reducing power consumption and operating costs while allowing flexible, cost-efficient CO2 shipping. For this reason, the European Commission recognised Apollo CO2 as one of the most innovative CCS transport solutions in Europe.
To connect Greek emitters with the liquefaction facility, DESFA is also working on the development of ~35 km CO2 pipeline, for which is seeking separate European funding from the Connecting Europe Facility. In its initial configuration, the pipeline will accommodate the transportation of approximately 3 million tonnes of CO2 per year, with provisions for expansion to handle up to 5 million tonnes per year by 2034, enabling further emitters to participate as the CCUS market scales.
Maria Rita Galli, CEO of DESFA, stated: “The selection of APOLLOCO2 by the EU’s Innovation Fund marks a major step forward for Greece’s industrial decarbonisation journey. This project lays the foundation for a scalable and cost-effective open access CCS value chain, helping industries cut emissions while maintaining competitiveness. DESFA is proud to play a leading role in building Europe’s low-carbon future through innovative infrastructure that drives the energy transition”.
