The PilotSTRATEGY project reached an important milestone on April 3, 2025, with its fifth online Regional Stakeholder Committee (RSC) meeting. This session was dedicated to a crucial task: reviewing the invaluable lessons from the Hontomín experimental CO2 storage project in Spain and discussing how these insights can pave the way for successful future initiatives in the Ebro Basin. The meeting brought together eight key stakeholders from diverse sectors, including industry and public administrations, for a focused discussion.
Participants first received a comprehensive overview of the RSC's objectives and the PilotSTRATEGY project's progress. The IGME (Spanish Geological and Mining Institute) team presented a technical deep-dive into the Hontomín project, which successfully demonstrated the technical feasibility and safety of geological CO2 storage. Complementing this, CIEMAT offered insights into the critical social aspects of the project.
Key takeaways from Hontomín underscored:
- The importance of early and transparent community involvement.
- The necessity of building trust through open, honest communication and responsive engagement with local populations.
- The success achieved when the local community feels a sense of "ownership" and understanding of the project.
Charting the course for the Ebro Basin
The primary aim was to foster a constructive dialogue about perspectives, expectations, and concerns regarding the PilotSTRATEGY project, specifically exploring how lessons from Hontomín could apply to the Ebro Basin.
The main conclusions from the vibrant discussion reinforced several core principles for moving forward:
- Community commitment: Active participation and fostering a positive reception among the local population are essential.
- Technical safety and transparency: Safety is a primary concern and must be addressed proactively, with all findings communicated clearly.
- Shared benefits: Projects should actively explore and deliver tangible economic and social benefits for host communities.
- Ongoing collaboration and communication: Clear, accessible, and continuous communication is vital to build trust and prevent misunderstandings.
The PilotSTRATEGY project will continue to spearhead these vital discussions, working to adapt and apply these lessons learned to ensure that any future carbon storage initiatives in the Ebro Basin are not only technically sound and efficient, but also have the robust support and confidence of the local communities and contribute positively to the region.