Port activities and their impact on the climate are receiving more and more attention. In order to reduce and eventually even neutralise this impact, an energy transition is being initiated in which fossil fuels are being replaced by renewable energy sources. Climate change and the demand for water are also high on the agenda. There is also increasing concern within society for protecting nature and landscape and a more efficient use of space in and around the port area.
Improving energy efficiency
In order to contribute towards the climate transition, companies are working to improve their energy efficiency, reduce their CO2 emissions and reuse material flows. These developments call for a great deal of new infrastructure: pipelines and 'smart grids' need to be developed for hydrogen, CO2 and residual heat.
At global, European, national and regional levels, we are seeing a tightening of environmental legislation, with, for example, the evolution towards a CO2-neutral economy. North Sea Port, together with the companies based there, will also work towards a reduction of CO2 emissions in the port area. Total CO2 emissions in the port will be 21.5 million tons in 2021. As a first step, the capture and storage of CO2 (Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)) will have to be increased.
Necessary intermediate step
Technological developments will be key to the reuse of CO2 over time (Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU)). The capture and storage of CO2 is a necessary intermediate step towards its large-scale reuse. The target is to capture at least 3 million tons of CO2 for storage and reuse by 2025. To this end, €50 million are being invested in infrastructure.
In order to secure these market investments, parties need to find each other and work together. To help them do so, North Sea Port, will play the role of connector between companies, utilities, public authorities and civil society organisations. This way, the port authority can connect individual solutions of companies with the common interest of climate investments.