Poland sets to initiate its inaugural Direct Air Capture facility within Kielce

The city of Kielce, Poland, is making waves in the European carbon removal landscape with the installation of its first Direct Air Capture (DAC) system. This pioneering project, a collaboration between the Kielce municipal government and Warsaw-based technology firm Oraquel S.A., marks a significant step forward in the EU's emerging efforts to explore frontier solutions in carbon removal.

The Kielce DAC pilot is an integral part of the city's climate adaptation strategy, positioning Poland within the fast-evolving carbon removal conversation. The solar-powered system, once operational, will be capable of extracting 500 tons of CO2 annually, equivalent to offsetting emissions from about 70 households that still rely on coal stoves.

The integration of renewables into DAC design offers a template for ensuring carbon removal projects do not generate additional emissions. This approach is likely to gain traction as governments seek societal buy-in for energy transition measures.

Education and public engagement are being treated as integral components of DAC deployment. The Kielce DAC project serves as a public learning hub for energy efficiency, emissions reduction, and city-level resilience planning. Mayor Agata Wojda described the facility as an educational tool about urban climate adaptation and individual actions for a green city.

The Kielce DAC project demonstrates that municipalities can adopt new technologies without waiting for large-scale national programs to mature. It also illustrates how decentralized action can complement national and bloc-wide strategies towards achieving climate neutrality targets.

DAC technologies are moving into Central and Eastern Europe under municipal leadership, not just confined to global players in North America or the Nordics. Discussions are underway for deploying additional DAC units across Poland, reflecting a shift toward broader geographic participation in carbon removal across the European continent.

The Kielce DAC system will employ patented filters that capture CO2 and can be replaced to maintain efficiency. This project may be a small step, but it signals potential new opportunities for capital, partnerships, and technology transfer across the European Union.

Wojciech Mudyna, CEO of AB-Micro, is at the helm of this technological advancement, providing the hardware and technical expertise for the Kielce DAC project. The Kielce DAC project is a reminder that emerging markets within the EU are beginning to explore frontier solutions in carbon removal, setting the stage for a greener, more sustainable future.