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Case study 08

Port of Ramsgate develops low carbon harbour plan

Opportunities in the low carbon economyHarnessing renewable energy

The Port of Ramsgate in Kent (UK) is owned and managed by the local authority, Thanet District Council. The port and harbour has historically served cross-Channel freight tra� c and smaller working and leisure vessels.

As part of the LO-PINOD project, Thanet looked to harness renewable energy sources to reduce its operational costs, and to modernise and expand its harbour facilities by developing a new berth along the quay to attract large commercial vessels including ferry operators, cruise liners, and container vessels.

Background and challengesRegional ports need to develop their business models and plans in response to changing market conditions to ensure sustainable growth. Thanet District Council carried out a feasibility study as part of a port redevelopment strategy to determine opportunities in new and existing markets. The study revealed there were no immediate prospects to service large commercial vessels but highlighted opportunities for the port to capitalise on tidal energy and deliver sustainable, low carbon economic growth.

In response to these � ndings, Thanet is developing a Low Carbon Plan to review opportunities to harness renewable energy sources including wind, solar, and tidal power and to explore integration of an energy generating facility utilising maritime heritage structures, such as the sluice gates, within the existing historic Royal Harbour.

Thanet will look to use renewable energy to reduce the operational costs and carbon dioxide emissions for the port and harbour. Through the development of a tidal barrage and installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels on port and harbour buildings, the port plans to generate its own electricity and to heat buildings using marine source heat pumps and heat distribution networks. This activity will help the port realise sustainable alternatives to traditional power networks.

The Port of Ramsgate’s Low Carbon Plan is due for completion by the end of 2014 and will inform the business case to help secure future direct and indirect investment towards project delivery.

Port of Ramsgate

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For further information, please contact:Institute for Sustainability 49-51 East Road, London N1 6AH, UKT: +44 (0) 20 7517 1830 E: info@instituteforsustainability.org.ukwww.lopinod.eu

LO-PINOD (Logistics Optimisation for Ports Intermodality: Network, Opportunities, Development) challenges traditional practices of freight distribution and o� ers a more sustainable alternative. Through improvements to shortsea routes, multi-modal connectivity between regional ports and their hinterland, and diversi� ed port land use and operational models, LO-PINOD helps deliver social and economic bene� ts to communities and businesses across the North Sea Region (NSR).

LO-PINOD is part funded by the North Sea Region programme, part of the EU Inter-regional (Interreg) initiative. Investing in the future by working together for a sustainable and competitive region, Interreg is � nanced through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Lead partner1. Institute for Sustainability (UK)

Partners2. AG Port of Oostende (Belgium)3. Brunsbüttel Ports GmbH (Germany)4. Harlingen Seaport (The Netherlands)5. Kilbride (UK)6. Municipality of Meppel (The Netherlands)7. Port of Bodø (Norway)8. Port of Drammen (Norway)9. Port of Esbjerg (Denmark)10. Port of Hanstholm (Denmark) 11. Port of Karlshamn (Sweden)12. Port of Sheerness (Peel Ports Ltd) (UK) 13. Provincie Drenthe (The Netherlands)14. SEStran (UK)15. Thanet District Council - Port of Ramsgate (UK)

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“ Through our Low Carbon Plan, we hope the port and harbour will become a growing centre for harnessing emerging renewable energy sources to assist with carbon management planning. We hope to share this knowledge with our European partners.”

Councillor Mike Harrison, Cabinet Member for Operational Services including the Port of Ramsgate

Case study: Opportunities in the low carbon economy

Transnational engagementThrough LO-PINOD, Thanet District Council has collaborated with project partner the Port of Meppel (Netherlands) to compare approaches to harnessing renewable energy sources and ways to incorporate this activity into port operations.

Thanet invited LO-PINOD partners to meet in Ramsgate to discuss opportunities for regional ports to develop and deliver low carbon products and services. The Ports of Ramsgate and Meppel delivered partner workshops and shared their own learning on how the transition to a low carbon economy addresses an environmental imperative for ports and can also be bene� cial for commercial operations.

A feasibility study enabled the Port of Ramsgate to assess the economic validity of expanding harbour facilities to cater for large commercial vessels. The study helped Thanet to re� ne its port and harbour regeneration plans and focus on low carbon planning.

The port carried out a review of existing infrastructure within its estate to move away from traditional power sources and reduce its carbon footprint. Funding from the North Sea Region Programme (NSRP) has allowed Thanet to start delivering this activity.

Thanet is now looking into possible technologies to implement its Low Carbon Plan and ensure it continues to adapt to the rapidly changing renewable energy sector. Thanet’s knowledge on low carbon planning has been shared with LO-PINOD partners to allow them to bene� t from its best practice.

Lessons learned By carrying out a feasibility study, gaining an understanding of new and existing market opportunities, and unlocking potential of existing assets Thanet has been able to explore sustainable opportunities for growth in the Port of Ramsgate

Researching the opportunities and building a strong economic case to support development is essential to unlock investment funding.

Ramsgate marina Historic sluice gates c1780

Port of Ramsgate inner marina lock gate Inner and outer marina

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