Decarbonising Spanish Ports

APM Terminals Valencia is embarking on an ambitious solar energy project as part of APM Terminals’ ambition to be carbon neutral by 2040. This initiative underscores the company’s commitment to sustainable operations by harnessing renewable energy to power its terminal activities.

The project, which began in December 2024, will see 1,674 solar panels installed on various rooftops in the terminal. This will include 502 panels with a nominal power of 655 watts each, and an additional 1,172 panels rated at 575 watts. The panels will cover a total area of 4,752 m².

With a total installed capacity of about 1 MWp, these solar panels are expected to produce approximately 1,2 GWh annually, cutting CO2 emissions by 432 tonnes each year. These CO2 savings are nearly equivalent to the CO2 produced by 500 people flying from Valencia to Los Angeles.

The panels will be installed on multiple structures in and around the terminal, including the office parking shelters, the newly built workshop-warehouse and various canopy structures throughout the terminal. The project also includes additional sustainability-focused upgrades, such as the installation of 29 electric vehicle chargers, 16 inverters, low-voltage electrical panels, new parking area canopies and supporting civil works.

Upgrades in Valencia and beyond

The solar initiative in Valencia represents a total investment of €1,103,070, with 30% of the funding supported by the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) programme, administered by the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA). The project is being carried out in partnership with the Port Authority of Valencia (APV), the Valencia Port Foundation and other port and ferry operators.

The project is part of a broader decarbonisation roadmap currently being implemented at APM Terminals Spanish Gateways (SGW), with an accumulated investment exceeding €38 million. This initiative includes the acquisition of 17 hybrid straddle carriers and 5 fully electric straddle carriers as part of a pilot program to electrify terminal equipment.

Additionally, the terminal plans to enhance energy resilience by installing up to 2MVA of onsite solar panels in Spain, introducing a reefer container gangway to replace the use of diesel gensets, and electrifying small equipment like forklifts, EVs and more. SGW was an early adopter, with 100% of its electricity coming from renewable energy, thanks to Green Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) and an agreement with Port Authorities for sustainable electricity supply, in place from 2020.

Several of these initiatives have received funding from the European Union. Others are backed by the Spanish government and supported by Port Authorities in Spain, showcasing the strategic importance for the communities served of transforming a more than 30-year-old facility to green. Through these efforts, APM Terminals continues to integrate innovation and sustainability into its operations, reinforcing its leadership as a responsible player in the port and logistics industry.