Onshore wind investment proposal to enhance ports’ green credentials

Associated British Ports (ABP) aims to install onshore wind turbines to make the Humber ports greener and more resilient against higher energy costs.

The Ports of Grimsby and Immingham will be the first onshore wind projects for consultation with a generation capacity potentially up to 36MW.

Plans are being developed for up to four turbines at Grimsby (up to 24MW) and at least two at Immingham (up to 12MW).

Onshore wind will contribute to ABP’s decarbonisation journey being able to generate 24 hours a day and give more power in winter than summer.

Simon Bird, regional director for ABP Humber, said: “We are steadily replacing our port plant and equipment with greener models, and we’ve already got the UK’s largest solar panel array at the Port of Hull.

“This application for onshore wind is serving to establish ABP as a greener part of the supply chain.

“The presence of wind turbines within the port estate reflects the innovation of our ports and shows our commitment and investment to becoming sustainable. It is our intention to also develop turbines at our Port of Hull.”

ABP has reduced its own CO2 emissions by over 35% since 2014 and invested over £55m in sustainability measures, which includes the largest commercial rooftop solar array in the UK at the Port of Hull, electric vehicles and cranes across the group and a new fleet of more fuel-efficient pilot boats.

The Port of Immingham recently trialled a Terberg hydrogen fuelled tractor in its container terminal.