PORT of Newcastle as said it is now powered by 100% renewable energy, having decarbonised operations to meet sustainability commitments set in 2020.
The impact of the initiative extends beyond port operations, supporting port tenants in improving their own sustainability performance.
The shift to renewable energy was achieved through partnership with green energy supplier Iberdrola.
PON said the partnership enabled it to secure a retail power purchase agreement, providing the port with large scale generation certificates which have direct linkages with the Bodangora Wind Farm in the Orana region of NSW.
“In achieving 100% renewable energy at Port of Newcastle we are showing tangible evidence of just how committed we are to driving sustainability in every aspect of our business,” Port of Newcastle CEO Craig Carmody said.
“In doing so we have also enabled 15 port tenants that work in and rely on Port of Newcastle to make their own operations more sustainable.”
Mr Carmody said the deal directly supports the development of renewable infrastructure and will deliver significant environmental improvements at the port.
“Through being powered by 100% renewables we are able to further reduce carbon emissions in the port by almost 5000 cubic tonnes, which is equivalent to taking 1000 cars off the road or planting 80,000 trees each year.”
According to Port of Newcastle senior manager of ESG Jackie Spiteri, the achievement strengthens the renewables supply chain already bolstered by the port, which is a leading importer of wind turbines.
“By working with Iberdrola to secure our power purchase agreements we have been able to source green power directly from Bodangora Wind Farm,” she said.
“As fate would allow, all of the wind turbine blades and components for Bodangora Wind Farm were imported right here through Port of Newcastle’s multi-purpose cargo facility at Mayfield 4 berth.”
Port of Newcastle engineering and utilities senior manager Wendy West said the project was supported by stakeholders’ commitment to sustainability.
“With many shipping and logistics related businesses operating across the port and a complex range of embedded electrical networks, collaboration with our tenants such as Stolthaven and Svitzer has enabled us to reach this important milestone of 100% renewable energy for our entire operations,” Mrs West said.
For Stolthaven, the port’s shift to renewable energy aligns with the company’s goal to become carbon neutral in their own primary activities by the year 2040.
For Svitzer, the initiative enables a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, complementing the company’s own program of installing solar panels at operations around Australia.
The achievement reinforces Port of Newcastle’s work to realise projects that will drive the diversification of the business and the Hunter Region over the coming decades.
Other elements of this vision are the port’s ESG strategy and sustainability initiatives, the Newcastle Multi-Purpose Deepwater Container Terminal development, and the Port of Newcastle Green Hydrogen Hub project.
