The Port of Virginia on the US East Coast is now – ahead of schedule – powering all its terminals with electricity from clean resources and accelerating its goal to becoming carbon-neutral by 2040.
Stephen A Edwards, CEO and executive director, Virginia Port Authority (VPA), said: “Virginia is the first major US East Coast port to power its entire operation using 100% clean electricity. In doing so, the port is building upon its reputation as America’s most modern gateway. Our cargo operations and overall performance are world-class, and we are advancing sustainability goals that are aligned with how we operate. This is a modern approach to meeting our environmental targets and we are setting ourselves apart as a result.”
Using clean electricity helps the port offset its carbon footprint by reducing carbon emissions 45% per container. The reduction comes in two target areas, scope 1 and 2 emissions. Scope 1 are emissions – exhaust — from equipment and scope 2 are the emissions generated from the electricity used to power and charge electric equipment as well as supplying port buildings with lighting, heating, air conditioning, etc.
This milestone is said to demonstrate the port’s commitment to supporting sustainability in Virginia. And, the accomplishment puts the port eight years ahead of its original 2032 goal of using clean energy to power operations, an integral step in reaching its net-zero by 2040 commitment.
Glenn Davis, director, Virginia Department of Energy said: “The Port of Virginia has long been a leader in innovation and growth. It has continued that leadership into the energy sector by powering its entire port operation with 100% clean energy.”
Today, the port operates 116 electric stacking cranes, four electric rail cranes and 27 electric ship-to-shore cranes. This fleet of all-electric equipment will grow as the port moves forward on the optimisation of the North Berth at Norfolk International Terminals: the expansion will increase the fleet size to 152, seven and 31 respectively.
Edwards said: “The type of equipment we are using, the way we power it and our overall approach to sustainability demonstrates to our customers and those port users seeking clean supply chains that this modern gateway can help meet their goals.”
The move to clean electricity is a result of a Power Purchase Agreement with Dominion Energy and a rider with Rappahannock Electric Cooperative. The Power Purchase Agreement ensures the generation and allocation of enough clean energy to support all current and future operational megawatt requirements.
Dominion Energy chair, president and CEO Robert M Blue said: “Helping The Port of Virginia become the first net-zero port on the US East Coast is part of our core mission to provide our customers with reliable, affordable and increasingly clean energy. Virginia’s port is second to none and plays a vital role in the development of offshore wind along the East Coast. The action it is taking on its sustainability goal shows this is a forward-looking organisation at the forefront of Virginia’s clean energy transition.”
The port is investing US$ 220m in the development of the US East Coast’s first offshore wind logistics hub at Portsmouth Marine Terminal (PMT). This project is supporting Dominion Energy’s Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project, a 176-unit wind-turbine-energy farm off of Virginia Beach and the largest offshore wind project in America to date. The first major components for the project are being discharged and stored at PMT.
