16 September 2009 - Enel, an Italy-based utility and power company, has signed an agreement with the Chineese Ministry of Science and Technology for capturing and storing carbon dioxide (CO2).

Enel said that under the agreement, it will conduct a feasibility study for using carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology at a Chinese coal fired plant, for capturing the CO2 produced and injecting it into an oilfield, thereby increasing crude oil production.

According to Enel, the Italy-China partnership will promote the exchange of information between the researchers of the two countries.

Enel has also developed a programme, currently under review by the European Union for the disbursement of funding under the European Economic Recovery Plan, to build a full-scale plant that, starting in 2015, will make it possible to capture CO2 generated by the coal fired power plant to be built in Porto Tolle.

The company added that it will use the experience it has gained in designing and constructing a pilot system that will allow it to test CO2 capture technology at its Federico II Plant in Brindisi starting in 2010.