Leaders in UK renewable energy

Recent months have seen ABP deliver a wide range of successful renewable energy projects in the hope of creating enough green electricity for its ports, customers and the national grid.

In 2015, ABP’s 21 ports generated more than 6.7m kWh from renewable energy sources, an amount only expected to increase in coming years.

In April, the company announced a £2m project for a wind turbine at the Port of Swansea. Matthew Kennerley, ABP South Wales’ director said: “It was the latest in a long line of renewable energy projects across our five ports and further demonstrates our commitment to sustainable energy.”

ABP has focused the development of its green energy ethos in multiple locations in Wales. These include a new solar farm at the Port of Barry and a second wind turbine at the Port of Newport, along with solar panels being installed.

By the end of this year, ABP South Wales will be home to over 10MW worth of renewable energy projects.

Wind and solar

Away from Wales, work has begun on one of the biggest renewable energy projects on the east coast at ABP’s Port of Lowesoft, which is now home to the offshore construction coordination base for the Galloper Wind Farm project.

ABP’s Andrew Harston explained: “We welcome the Galloper Offshore Wind Farm project to the OGN site at the Port of Lowestoft. Working with the renewables industry has resulted in multi-million investments into the local economy.”

“We are committed to driving both the local and regional economy here in Lowestoft and East Anglia overall. We have invested in the necessary infrastructure to ensure the OGN Group is properly equipped to service the Galloper Wind Farm project.”

When complete, the windfarm is expected to generate up to 336MW, which is enough energy to power up to 336,000 homes.

At the Port of Silloth, ABP is installing a solar farm which will generate up to 22,000kWh of electricity.

This aims to cut the port’s carbon footprint because the solar panels are linked to the same network which currently powers the port estate.

“ABP is committed to the environment and we are always looking for opportunities where we can invest in renewable energy projects across our ports,” said Mr Harston.

“This latest development, which has been championed by the team in Silloth, is a great example of how we can reduce our impact on the environment and create more sustainable ports,” he continued.

Investments

ABP’s support of the renewable energy sector does not just come from its own individual projects. The group has also continued to invest in the Green Port Hull, a project which takes advantage of the Port of Hull’s location in relation to the North Sea to create a centre for renewable energy.

It has already tapped into the offshore windfarm market in the North Sea with its operations and maintenance activities at the Port of Grimsby. Going forward, ABP expects to do further deals with companies wishing to use its base for more renewable energy operations.

ABP serves the UK’s offshore energy industry in nine different locations; Barrow, Fleetwood, Grimsby, Hull, Immingham, Lowestoft, Port Talbot, Southampton and Swansea.

The group won the Innovative Development of the Year Award for its work in supporting its renewable energy customers. Mike Sellers ,ABP Port Manager Grimsby and Immingham, said: “it’s fantastic to be recognised for the work we do in the renewables sector.”

“Our approach to energy usage is twofold; not only are we continually innovating and investing to meet the requirements of our renewables customers and to attract new business to the region, we also ensure that any new facilities we build use a range of measures such as solar panels, LED lighting and rainwater collection to ensure they are as environmentally-friendly as possible.”