NORFOLK, Va. — When it comes to power consumption, few if any, industries in Hampton Roads compete with the ports.
For decades, moving tons and tons of cargo has taken a lot of heavy machinery and even more fossil fuel. It’s why The Port of Virginia pledged to make major changes, setting itself on a new path toward clean energy.
This month, Norfolk’s main port reached a major milestone in that mission.
According to port leaders, the Port of Virginia is now the first major East Coast port to fully run on clean energy – whether it’s solar, wind, hydropower, or nuclear.
“Our cargo operations and overall performance are world-class, and we are advancing sustainability goals that are aligned with how we operate," said Stephen A. Edwards, CEO and executive director of the Virginia Port Authority in a statement. "This is a modern approach to meeting our environmental targets and we are setting ourselves apart as a result... the port is building upon its reputation as America’s Most Modern Gateway.”
The state is already under contract with Dominion Energy to use solar farms to help power facilities like the port.
The Port of Virginia now uses 100 hybrid shuttle carriers which cut their diesel consumption in half. Port leaders also invested in an electric-powered crane system that moves boxes as part of a bigger, automated, and more efficient cargo system.
The initiatives have led to a significant drop in carbon emissions.
According to figures from the Port of Virginia, carbon emissions have been cut by 66% since 2017. The Port has also committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.