According to the information compiled by the AA correspondent from the "2026 Global Carbon Capture and Storage Status" report published by the Global CCS Institute, 113 commercial carbon capture and storage facilities are operating around the world as of 2026.
Projects under construction offer an additional annual carbon dioxide capture capacity of 56 million tons. It is anticipated that with the commissioning of these projects, the total annual capture capacity of the operating facilities will exceed 100 million tons.
According to the "London Registry of Underground Carbon Dioxide Storage" data included in the report, more than 400 million tons of carbon dioxide have been captured and stored permanently through carbon capture and storage technologies since 1996.
When the capacity of operating facilities is examined by sector, the natural gas processing and liquefied natural gas (LNG) sector ranks first with 42 million tons annually.
When projects under development are included, the total potential capture capacity of the electricity generation and heat sector reaches 160 million tons annually. The report states that this is due to the strengthening of commitments to carbon capture and storage technologies in natural gas-fired power plants.
In the project portfolio, the natural gas processing and LNG sector stands out with an annual capacity of 111 million tons, while the hydrogen, ammonia and fertilizer sector is ranked with a capacity of 103 million tons, and the cement and lime sector is ranked with a capacity of 42 million tons.
The American continent ranks first in capacity
The American continent ranks first among regions with the annual capture capacity of 48 million tons of operating facilities. If the projects in the development phase are implemented, it is estimated that the total capacity of the region can reach 282 million tons annually in 2030 and beyond.
In Europe, 15 facilities are in operation and 21 facilities are under construction. Annual carbon dioxide injection capacity in the region is expected to reach 33 million tonnes by 2030, according to the first progress report under the European Union's Net Zero Industry Act. This level is below the target of 50 million tons set for 2030.
The report also includes regional collaborations to facilitate carbon dioxide transport. While an agreement was made between the United Kingdom and Belgium to facilitate the transportation of carbon dioxide, a memorandum of understanding was signed between Finland and Norway, covering the permanent storage of carbon dioxide from Finland in Norway. In addition, 17 projects of common and mutual interest were formalized within the scope of the European Union.
CCS centers are being developed in the Middle East
In the Middle East and Africa region, 5 facilities are in operation, 5 facilities are under construction, 7 facilities are in advanced development and 12 facilities are in early development.
According to the report, governments and industries in the Middle East are focusing on large-scale carbon capture and storage hubs, integrated carbon dioxide transport and storage infrastructure, and carbon management value chains linked to LNG, hydrogen, ammonia, electricity generation and heavy industry sectors.
Applications in the region are concentrated in a small number of Gulf countries and on projects that can provide commercial returns from the use of carbon dioxide in the short term. The report emphasizes that such projects do not always prioritize the permanent storage of carbon dioxide.
Regional regulatory frameworks, transportation and storage business models, financing mechanisms and processes for verifying storage areas continue to be developed.
The report also noted that conflicts in the region are increasing pressure on energy security, energy affordability and public resources, which could delay some carbon capture and storage and net-zero emissions investments.
