Carbon Capture Just Got a Power Upgrade in Rotterdam

ExxonMobil and FuelCell Energy pilot system that traps CO₂ while generating power and hydrogen

8 Oct 2025

A pilot project in Rotterdam is seeking to transform carbon capture from a costly obligation into an energy-generating opportunity. ExxonMobil Benelux and US-based FuelCell Energy have begun constructing a fuel cell system designed to capture carbon dioxide while simultaneously producing electricity and hydrogen, a dual-use approach that could alter how heavy industries reduce emissions.

Work began in mid-2025, with full testing expected in 2026. The project uses carbonate fuel cells to extract CO₂ directly from exhaust gases, avoiding the energy-intensive chemical reactions typical of conventional capture systems. The captured carbon can be stored underground or repurposed, while the process itself generates usable power and hydrogen.

“This technology could turn carbon capture from a cost into an opportunity,” said Jason Few, chief executive of FuelCell Energy. “It’s about making sustainability pay for itself.” Analysts view the pilot as a potential turning point for energy-intensive sectors such as refining and chemicals, which face rising decarbonisation pressures alongside high power needs.

The Netherlands has emerged as a European leader in carbon capture, utilisation and storage. The Rotterdam project links with the country’s wider CCUS network, including the Porthos initiative, which channels captured CO₂ to storage reservoirs beneath the North Sea. By combining new capture methods with existing transport infrastructure, policymakers aim to accelerate industrial emissions cuts while containing costs.

Scaling the technology remains a challenge. Fuel cells are capital-intensive, and widespread deployment will depend on proving long-term performance and economic viability. Yet the system’s ability to produce electricity while curbing emissions could appeal to companies seeking both compliance and cost stability. Its modular design also allows for phased adoption, easing investment risks.

If successful, the Rotterdam pilot could influence global perceptions of carbon capture, from an energy drain to a potential source of power. It suggests a pathway to industrial net-zero where emission control and energy generation advance together.