Masdar’s Carbon Management Unit develops greenhouse gas emissions reduction projects. It creates value by monetising greenhouse gas emission reductions under the provisions of the United Nations’ led Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) framework of the Kyoto Protocol. The unit also develops sustainable technologies, including large-scale projects that generate sizeable carbon emission reductions, with a particular focus on CO2 Capture and Storage (CCS).

Masdar is positioned to play a long-term role in the rapidly evolving global carbon market. As a global developer of greenhouse gas emission reduction projects, whether it is a gas-processing facility in Abu Dhabi or a power plant in North Africa, Masdar provides ways for the energy industry to introduce a low-carbon culture and generate revenue from sustainable growth. The unit offers project owners a comprehensive solution including technical assistance, project management, carbon finance and emissions trading. Our focus is on oil and gas, power and renewable energy. The unit is developing a portfolio of CDM projects covering a wide range of technologies, from energy efficiency to CO2 recovery.

In February 2008, Masdar launched a world-class project to develop a national CO2 capture network capable of creating a significant reduction in Abu Dhabi’s carbon footprint. The first phase of the network will capture around 6.5 million tons of CO2 from power plants and industrial facilities in Abu Dhabi by 2013. The captured CO2 will be transported and injected in oil reservoirs for enhanced oil recovery.

Carbon Reduction and Monetisation under the CDM

Masdar is harnessing government commitment and strategic alliances to spearhead the development of CDM projects, with focus on the greater Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

Together with various stakeholders and partners, Masdar is actively developing a broad portfolio of carbon-related projects mainly focused on oil, gas, power and renewable energy.

Masdar’s experienced team provides an end-to-end solution to realise revenue from greenhouse gas emission reductions, including project identification, feasibility studies, CDM documentation and registration, technology sourcing, project management and carbon financing.

In addition, Masdar provides dedicated project managers and engineers with an energy background who can provide sound technology assessment and manage projects successfully.

Our CDM activities play a major role in making Masdar a catalyst for sustainable growth, and a significant player in the global effort to reduce man-made emissions.

Carbon Capture and Storage

One of the most promising ways of reducing carbon emissions is to capture the emitted CO2 gases and store them underground.

Masdar is developing in Abu Dhabi one of the most ambitious large-scale carbon capture projects. The project constitutes a roadmap to build a network connecting major CO2 emitters with oil reservoirs, aiming at significantly slashing Abu Dhabi’s carbon emissions by 2020.

The first phase of the project involves capturing CO2 emissions from four different facilities in Abu Dhabi by 2013, and transporting the CO2 to oilfields for enhanced oil recovery. Existing carbon capture technology will be scaled up in an initiative bringing together a broad range of stakeholders from various industries. Stakeholders include post-combustion and pre-combustion power plants, an aluminum smelter and a steel mill.

Championed by Masdar and enjoying the full commitment of the Abu Dhabi government, the CCS project will create the backbone of the new low carbon industry in Abu Dhabi. It will also drive carbon capture technological progress at a global scale.

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