On Jan. 1, the Port of Virginia announced it had achieved its goal of being powered by 100 percent Clean Energy, eight years ahead of schedule.
The announcement makes the port the first one on the East Coast to power all of its terminals from clean energy sources. And the achievement eight years ahead of schedule will accelerate the port’s goal of being carbon-neutral by 2040, officials said.
“Virginia is the first major US East Coast port to power its entire operation using 100 percent clean electricity,” Stephen A. Edwards, CEO and executive director of the Virginia Port Authority (VPA), said. “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.”
Officials said the move to clean energy will help offset the port’s carbon footprint by reducing Scope 1 and Scope 2 carbon emissions 45 percent per container. Officials said the milestone is proof of the port’s commitment to supporting sustainability.
“The Port of Virginia has long been a leader in innovation and growth,” Glenn Davis, director of the Virginia Department of Energy, said. “It has continued that leadership into the energy sector by powering its entire port operation with 100 percent clean energy.”
The port operations 116 electric stacking cranes, four electric rail cranes and 27 electric ship-to-shore cranes, with plans to increase the fleet size to 152, seven and 31 respectively.
“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,” Edwards said.