Shoreham focuses on sustainability

It’s doing this by forging a ten year partnership with energy services company, MITIE. The partnership will focus on developing renewable energy efficient assets for the port.

Peter Davies, development director at Shoreham Port said to Maritime Journal: “This new renewable energy partnership will enable us to take control over our own energy supply and prices, whilst reducing our carbon footprint. It will also keep the port at the heart of the local community and provide jobs for local people.”

The port’s masterplan focuses on opportunities for the port to meet its own energy needs and those of the local community using wind and solar power. Shoreham, like most ports, is a large energy electricity user – it’s needed to power lighting towers on the terminals, the lock gates and water pumps which are used to keep the water at a constant level.

Solar power is already in place at the port using roof space on warehouse roofs – and this project will continue to be developed.

In addition to this, and because the port uses a lot of electricity at night, there is a proposal in place to build wind turbines to supplement energy demand in the longer term – these could be placed on the south side of the port along Basin Road South. This will be further investigated to see how practical this is and the opinions of the local community will be sought before any decisions are made. Other forms of energy generation might also be explored at a later date.

The port’s location near Brighton lends itself particularly well to these renewable technologies of course. The local community will benefit from the creation of jobs to support the new energy infrastructure as well as through access to more affordable, clean energy that they will provide.

MITIE will fund, develop and operate the energy infrastructure.There will be an opportunity for local firms to bid for the work and it is hoped that the project will stimulate investment for the port and the surrounding area.

Mike Tivey, managing director of MITIE’s Asset Management, said: “This is a really progressive and engaging development which will stimulate investment into Shoreham Port. Community and economic benefits will be at the heart of our considerations when coming up with a low carbon and sustainable energy future for Shoreham Port.”

Shoreham Port is a Trust Port governed by its own unique legislation. The Port Masterplan sets out a practical and realistic forward strategy and proposals for growth of up to 25% over the next 15 years.