UK-Ireland green corridors announced
NatPower Marine and Peel Ports Group have announced plans for the UK’s first two green corridors between Heysham and Belfast, and Birkenhead and Dublin. It is proposed that the green energy developer will invest more than GBP 100 million in eight ports operated by Peel Ports to establish charging infrastructure for e-ships, electric cars, vans and heavy goods vehicles.
The plans are the first step in the development of a GBP 3 billion global charging network in 120 ‘clean ports’ that Natpower Marine intends to establish by 2030. The network will provide a basis upon which green shipping routes can be set up. The GigaParks will provide clean electricity to NatPower Marine’s UK port network via power purchasing agreements or private wires.
It is estimated that more than 3,000 ships cross the Irish Sea every year, emitting 230,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide, 20,000 tonnes of nitrous oxide, and 18,000 tonnes of sulphur oxide. Electric ships and shoreside charging facilities would radically change this emission picture.
Peel Ports already aims to make Heysham in Lancashire the first ‘net zero port’ in the UK. Emissions of landside plant, equipment and vehicles there has already been reduced by up to 90%.
NatPower Marine CEO, Stefano Sommadossi, commented: “Shipping lines cannot electrify their vessels if port charging infrastructure is not available, and ports are unable to raise capital for charging infrastructure without certainty of demand from shipping lines.
“With marine trade set to triple by 2050, we urgently need to build the global network of clean energy charging infrastructure the industry desperately needs. Our partnership with Peel Ports Group is the first step in this strategic approach to accelerate the adoption of clean energy in shipping and help cargo owners to reach net-zero.”
Claudio Vertiero, Peel Ports CEO, said: “The proposals presented as part of this partnership are potentially game-changing, and fully support our ambitions to become a net-zero port operator by 2040.
We look forward to working closely with NatPower Marine to explore the possibilities for establishing the first green shipping corridor between the UK and Ireland, and further enabling support for our customers, shipping lines and hauliers as they transition to a greener future.
