Displaying items by tag: NetZero Industry Act

5th September 2023

For Europe's Ports EU’s Net-Zero Industry Policy Should Look Both at Production and Supply Chains

The European SeaPorts Organisation (ESPO) welcomes the aim of the Commission’s Green Deal Industrial Plan to ensure that the European Union can become an important player in the production and supply of net-zero products and technologies and a competitive player in these new sectors.

ESPO also believes that a well-established net-zero industrial ecosystem in Europe is an important instrument for progressing fast and efficiently on the energy transition and reaching Europe’s climate ambitions.

However, for ESPO, such a plan can only deliver if the whole supply chain is considered on top of the net-zero technology manufacturing projects. The deployment of net-zero industries and the stepping up of the security of supply of raw materials and spare parts for these industries must be accompanied by a policy to facilitate and support the adaptation and upgrading of the supply chain infrastructure, particularly in ports, hinterland connections and maritime access needs in order to realise this ambition.

The importance of examining the supply chain needs resulting from the development of these new industries in Europe has been clearly recognised by the Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) in its opinion on the Net-Zero Industry Act proposal, voted on 19 July 2023. The opinion of the Committee on Transport and Tourism can be found here.

ESPO welcomes in particular the amendments 7, 12, 28, 32, 36, 38 of the adopted text.

The Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) of the European Parliament, which has the lead on this file, is currently preparing the compromise amendments. ESPO is happy to see that similar amendments, reflecting the supply chain approach, have been tabled in the ITRE Committee and hopes that these will be taken up in the compromises and the vote in the Committee scheduled on 12 October 2023.

“To become an important player in the net-zero industry market, Europe needs to stimulate not only the production of net-zero industries and technologies but also the supply chain infrastructure needed to transport, export, store, import where relevant, the raw materials, spare parts needed for these industries as well as the finished products. We very much welcome the opinion of the Transport Committee of the Parliament in this regard. We do hope that the ITRE Committee will also integrate this supply chain approach in their report.” says ESPO’s Secretary General Isabelle Ryckbost.

Several ports in Europe will, because of their location near sources of raw materials and/or new net-zero industries, see their activities growing in a short period. Many other ports could be ideal locations for these new activities. It is important to ensure that the infrastructure in the port, accessibility to and from the port is adapted following these new needs.

ESPO’s initial views on the Net-Zero Industry Plan are available here.

The ESPO looks forward to continuing the dialogue with the Parliament and Council in view of achieving a final agreement that reflects these concerns.

Published in Ports & Shipping

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Offshore wind

ESB know the importance of offshore wind in tackling climate change and delivering net zero. Ireland has a unique capability given its prime location to take advantage of the potential of offshore wind. ESB are working hard to develop offshore wind projects for the benefit of everyone across society in Ireland and the UK. This includes ongoing engagement with marine users and local communities so ESB can deliver these significant projects.

Offshore wind will play a major role globally in our fight against climate change. It will help to replace energy generated by burning fossil fuels with that from a clean, safe and secure renewable energy source. Ireland’s geographic location on the exposed edge of the Atlantic presents us with a significant opportunity to generate electricity from wind – both offshore and onshore.

Power from onshore wind farms currently provide over one-third of Ireland’s electricity needs. But, whilst its marine area is many times the size of its landmass, Ireland’s offshore wind potential is only starting to be realised. ESB have a coastline stretching over 3,000km but only one operational offshore wind farm – Arklow Bank, with a capacity of 25 MW. In contrast, Belgium’s coastline is only 63km long, but it has already developed more than 2,000 MW of offshore wind. In Great Britain, with a coastline four times the length of ours, offshore wind generation now equates to over 440 Arklow Banks, with an installed capacity of 11,0000 MW as of late 2021.

The Irish Government's target to install 5,000 MW of offshore wind capacity in our maritime area by 2030 is set out in the Climate Action Plan 2021. It also has the objective to source 80% of Ireland’s electricity needs from renewables by the same year. In line with this, ESB is applying its professional and proven engineering expertise to the challenges set within the Climate Action Plan.

ESB are committed to playing a strong role in developing Ireland’s offshore wind potential for the benefit of the people of Ireland. This will be done in consultation with marine users and local communities, and with due care for the marine environment.