The Finnish Government is preparing a decree to provide grants promoting the capture and utilisation of industrial biogenic carbon dioxide. “In our consultation response on the decree, we emphasise that a successful support model requires a technology-neutral approach, sufficient sector expertise and flexible allocation to projects of different sizes,” our Chief Growth Officer Ville Karttunen explains.
Auris’s view is based on experience
Auris Energy is the majority owner of a biogas plant that produces carbon dioxide of biological origin as a by-product of biomethane production. Our consultation response draws on our experience of building renewable gas value chains and our understanding of the development stages of technologies in the sector.
We share the view expressed in VTT’s study (Koponen & Kujanpää, 2025) that both carbon dioxide utilisation and permanent storage are essential ways to achieve climate targets. If implemented correctly, the support model now being prepared could accelerate the development of new business in Finland and support our climate policy.
Our consultation response has four main points:
- Multiple auctions support technology neutrality
The technology-neutral reverse auction proposed in the decree is an effective approach. However, we recommend allocating support through several auctions, held every two years, for example. This would give technologies at different stages of development an equal opportunity to participate, rather than allowing mature technologies to take all the support. - The minimum size threshold risks excluding cost-effective projects
In our response, we oppose the proposed minimum capture threshold of 20,000 tonnes a year. It would exclude almost all Finnish biogas plants, which typically produce 2,000–15,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year. Such an artificial threshold undermines both competition and cost-effectiveness. - The scientific evidence does not support a minimum threshold for aid
The latest national research does not suggest that a minimum size threshold is a necessary or beneficial part of the support model. Our response is based on the principle that impact should be assessed through emissions reductions and cost-effectiveness, not project size. - An effective value chain is essential for support to have an impact
Carbon dioxide capture alone is not enough. Partners capable of further processing it and effective logistics are also needed. Such a value chain does not yet exist, and building one takes longer for large projects than for small ones. This is another reason to avoid setting an overly strict minimum threshold for support, which could prevent projects from going ahead.
We support the decree’s objectives, as the proposed aid offers an opportunity to advance sustainable carbon dioxide capture in Finland. However, it is crucial that the support model enables participation by all technologies and project sizes.
“Otherwise, a significant share of potential carbon capture will go unrealised,” Karttunen says.
More information about the decree: Consultation response – Lausuntopalvelu