- Endesa will collaborate in the development of the sustainability strategy for the Port of Huelva
The Port of Huelva and Endesa today signed a collaboration protocol for the design and planning of a series of measures to progress towards energy transition in the port environment and as a contribution to the sustainable port model currently being promoted by the port of Huelva. In this context, the Port has been focussing for a number of years on playing a leading role in the new energy transition model, based on the production of clean energy to contribute to the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions, increasing both Spain's and Europe's energy both independence and promoting economic growth in Andalusia.
During the presentation ceremony, which was attended by the Ministers of Sustainability, Environment and Blue Economy of the Regional Government of Andalusia, Ramón Fernández-Pacheco, and Industry, Energy and Mines, Jorge Paradela, the Chairman of the Port Authority of Huelva, Alberto Santana, and Endesa's General Manager for Andalusia, Extremadura, Ceuta and Melilla, Rafael Sánchez Durán, the key features of this agreement were detailed, which aims to complete the transformation of energy management in the port environment in accordance with the parameters of European, state and regional regulations on decarbonisation by 2030.
The Minister of Sustainability, Environment and Blue Economy of the Regional Government of Andalusia highlighted "a clear commitment to the greening and decarbonisation of Andalusian ports as the key to a sustainable blue economy", which contributes added value in the region.
The Minister of Industry, Energy and Mines of the Regional Government of Andalusia highlighted the importance of the role of Andalusian ports as an essential part of the Andalusian economy, and stressed that "the future of maritime transport involves innovative solutions such as biofuels, renewable hydrogen and green methanol, technologies in which Andalusia is showing its strength and ability to be a leader in this energy transition". This is why he valued this public-private collaboration initiative in the port of Huelva which he considered to be "a historic opportunity for Andalusia, since our community is renowned for being able to combine natural resources, geographical conditions and port installations that have already made it a leader in energy transition and digitalisation."
For the Chairman of the Port Authority of Huelva, the support of Endesa and the Ministries of Sustainability, Environment and Blue Economy and also of Industry, Energy and Mines of the Regional Government of Andalusia "strengthens our position as a benchmark hub in the production of clean energy, together with the new 2023-2030 Strategic Plan for the Port of Huelva. Looking forward to 2050, it is configured as a decisive roadmap to becoming a benchmark as an energy and industrial cluster with added value to lead in the decarbonisation of the port and the port community and to continue to grow as a logistical and intermodal port as a result of implementing competitive infrastructures and services". The new strategic plan also sets the guidelines to "continue progressing towards a sustainable port, from an environmental, economic and social point of view, as well as promoting technology, innovation, digitalisation and knowledge. All in line with the sustainable development goals."
Rafael Sánchez Durán stressed that "port environments are a key element in winning the battle against climate change and achieving the successful completion of the energy transition, this is why Endesa's ePort project which has already been signed with the Port of Seville and the Bay of Cádiz, offers the necessary means to implement a holistic vision of sustainability in the ports on the Andalusian coast". Endesa's Territorial General Manager pointed out that "Endesa has been supporting the development of Andalusia for 128 years and as a multimodal energy company it is the ideal partner when it comes to facilitating the change towards the decarbonisation of ports".
European ports are facing the challenge of responding in the short term to the regulatory requirements and initiatives that are an essential feature of a number of national environmental plans, including the National Air Quality Plan, the Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan, the Spanish Circular Economy Strategy, as well as in the Marine Strategies and Hydrological Plans linked to the improvement of marine and coastal aquatic ecosystems.
In this regard, this action protocol offers the Port of Huelva a framework for collaboration for the organisation and development of actions that will help to achieve a greener port model in an open, digital, decarbonised and sustainable ecosystem, which will enable the energy and climate objectives established by the European Union to be achieved by 2030.
About Endesa
Endesa is the largest electricity company in Spain and the second largest in Portugal. The company is also the second largest gas operator in the Spanish market. Endesa operates an end-to-end generation, distribution and marketing business. Through Endesa X it also offers value-added services aimed at the electrification of energy usage in homes, companies, industries and Public Administrations. It has also created a new line of business. Endesa X Way is fully dedicated to electric mobility. Endesa is firmly committed to the United Nations SDGs and strongly supports the development of renewable energies through Enel Green Power España, the digitalisation of grids through e-distribution, and corporate social responsibility (CSR). The Endesa Foundation is also active in CSR. Our workforce numbers about 9,260 employees. Endesa is a division of Enel, the largest electricity group in Europe.