The Port of Aberdeen is firmly set on becoming the UK’s first net-zero port by 2040, pledging to invest £55m ($69.1m) over the next 10 years. This means being exemplary and aiming for net zero emissions from ships visiting the port (Scope 3) as well as the port’s own operations (Scope 1 and 2), the Port said.
“We launched our net zero strategy with the aim of becoming the UK’s first net zero port by 2040. Strong partnerships and investment between the public and private sectors are essential to deliver this transformative change which will bring significant benefits to the environment, local communities and the wider maritime sector,” said Bob Sanguinetti, Chief Executive of the Port of Aberdeen.
Commenting on Port Aberdeen’s ambitions, Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Just Transition Mairi McAllan welcomed the port’s Net Zero strategy and congratulated them “for making this important investment in their future”.
This ambitious target is at the heart of the Port of Aberdeen’s net zero strategy which focuses on working with public and private sector stakeholders to reduce emissions at the port, facilitate future low carbon fuels and support the energy transition, the Port said in a statement.
To track its progress towards net zero, Port of Aberdeen said it will measure its emissions against a 2019 baseline, with 55,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent emitted in scopes 1, 2 and 3. In particular , 97 percent of the emissions were attributed to the arrival of 9,500 ships. , registered as area 3.
In addition, the port is measuring performance against a carbon intensity metric based on gross ship tonnage, once the new Aberdeen South Port development is fully operational for 12 months.
Coastal power
The introduction of land-based power at scale, starting with the first three-berth power in 2024, and the provision of low-carbon alternative fuels for customer vessels, is expected to deliver significant emissions reductions in the coming years , said the Port. Achieving success in these areas will require a phased approach and strong partnerships with stakeholders, investors and ship owners, he added.
The port has already taken actions to reduce the environmental impact of its operations, starting with the deployment of electric vehicles and the installation of LED lighting on the docks. A wide range of projects are now underway or planned, including testing hydrotreated vegetable oil for ships and port-owned equipment and exploring the feasibility of on-site power generation for the port estate, says the release.
Investment over investment
The net zero commitment of £55m comes after the port has already invested more than half a million pounds in infrastructure in recent years. This includes the transformative South Harbor expansion that will unlock growth opportunities in the energy transition, including offshore wind, hydrogen and decommissioning, the port’s statement said.
“Our vision is to become Scotland’s first net zero port, offering world-class facilities and services, at the heart of the country’s energy transition. We need to be bold and ambitious to achieve this,” he continue Sanguinetti.
“The Scottish Government is committed to decarbonising the transport sector in a sustainable way, and the maritime sector has a vital role to play,” added McAllan. “An efficient and effective offshore energy sector is crucial to a strong economy, and our work to decarbonise the maritime sector will take into account the critical importance of this sector in our supply infrastructure.”
At the beginning of April, the Scottish Government’s Just Transition Fund boosted the energy transition in the north-east of the country with an additional £25m.
The government has created a £500m 10-year Just Transition Fund to accelerate the energy transition in Aberdeen and the North East and establish the region as a world leader in the transition to a net zero economy.
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