Four multinationals, including Shell and Exxon, want to store greenhouse gas CO₂ in an empty gas field off the Dutch coast. The companies are going to apply for subsidies at the end of this month. According to estimates, this grant could amount to around € 1.5 billion. This subsidy is controversial because it is a huge amount of money for something that has never been done on this scale.
If they get the money, it will be at the expense of solar and wind subsidies. They will be entitled to subsidies for greening Dutch energy supplies (SDE). Up to now, these funds have mainly been devoted to the construction of solar fields and wind turbines.