SO News - World’s largest coal port in Australia to be 100% powered by renewable energy

The world’s largest coal port in Newcastle, Australia is set to be powered by 100% renewable energy. The announcement from Port of Newcastle comes as coal power generation in Australia’s national electricity market fell to its lowest level at 5.9% towards the tail end of 2021. Conversely, rooftop solar is said to have grown by 24% and utility solar by 26% over the same period. 

The move is part of the Port of Newcastle’s targets to decarbonise the business by 2040 and have coal make up just half of its revenue by 2030. A power purchase agreement has been signed with green energy supplier Iberdrola, which operates the Bodangora windfarm in New South Wales, to provide the wind power needed for the port’s operations. The port has also converted 96% of its vehicles to electric to support the decarbonisation. 

“Port of Newcastle’s 100% renewable power deal directly supports the development of renewable infrastructure and will deliver significant environmental improvements at the Port. Through being powered by 100% renewables we are able to further reduce carbon emissions in the Port by almost 5,000 cubic tonnes, which is equivalent to taking 1,000 cars off the road or planting 80,000 trees each year,” said Chief executive officer, Craig Carmody.