Laying the foundation for CO₂ reduction across Eastern Europe
Eastern Lights will demonstrate how CO₂ can be captured, transported, and permanently stored underground in North West Bulgaria. The project will establish a full CO₂ transport and storage value chain, making use of saline aquifers (a type of underground rock formation well-suited for large-scale, permanent CO₂ storage) which are located near major CO₂ sources and pipeline infrastructure.
Making CO₂ transport and storage work
• Experienced research teams from top institutions like Fraunhofer (Germany), CNRS (France), and CSIC (Spain) will carry out detailed studies of the underground conditions and the long-term storage of CO₂. A short pipeline section will be built to sort out practical issues like land access. With help from Air Liquide (Turkey), transport will be made ready for permitting and execution for the entire corridor cross-border cluster connecting members to the CO₂ storage.
• The project also involves communication efforts, regular discussions with local communities and stakeholders, and careful planning for permits and infrastructure to support the entire Eastern Lights network.
• By proving that this project can reduce industrial emissions in a cost-effective way, Bulgaria can keep important jobs and boost economic growth in a greener direction.
In a nutshell
19
project partners8
countries4
years duration€ 24,215,648
fundingIntegrating CO₂ from regional and cross-border sources will support EU climate goals while fostering economic growth and international collaboration
Eastern Lights will help kick-start carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) in Eastern Europe—starting with Bulgaria and potentially expanding to Romania. This will support the EU’s climate goals under the “Fit for 55” plan. The project will also show strong international cooperation by using captured CO₂ from Tüpraş in Turkey (as part of the Mof4Air project), highlighting how countries can work together to meet Europe’s climate targets.
Project coordinator
Project partners
Associated partners
A clear path to deliver this project
Download our work structure in "Resources"
Project management
We will guarantee efficient and responsible administration of this project, as well as communication inside the consortium and timely reporting to the European Commission.
CO₂ transport
We will identify and test different CO₂ transport solutions to help determine the design and operational needs of our infrastructure.
CO₂ storage
We will develop, characterise and test a suitable storage site in North West Bulgaria for CO₂ injection in a saline aquifer.
Modelling
We will develop numerical, (semi)analytical, and neural network tools for storage and transport. This will involve designing field tests, improving site characterisation and capacity estimation, and ensuring continuous monitoring and integrated operations.
Integrated operation
We will create a system for the joint operation of a CO₂ distribution network and several storage sites with different injection technologies. This will include creating a demonstration interface to integrate monitoring data and provide operational recommendations.
Life cycle assessment, business model and public acceptance
The main objective of Work Package 6 is to assess the sustainability of the Eastern Lights project, accounting for the environmental, social and economic aspects. Different scales will be studied, both pilot and the industrial ones, with the aim of optimising the size of the plant.
Future Eastern European CCUS ecosystem
We will use Eastern Lights as a starting point for planning a future Eastern European CCUS ecosystem. This includes reviewing local and European facilities, resources, and funding options, as well as analysing the market, identifying target users, and exploring intellectual property and standardisation strategies.
Dissemination, communication, policy recommendations
We will provide a regular drumbeat of updates to key local and regional stakeholders, residents and the wider public, welcoming all opportunities to share information, exchange views on our project, gain insights on our impact and inform our recommendations to policymakers.
