Cross-Solent operator Wightlink will get a share of £60million in Government funding to explore the future of electric boats as part of the UK’s race to decarbonise the maritime sector.
For the first time, the UK Government is funding the development of new clean maritime technology across a 2-year period. Innovative companies developing futuristic green technology in 12 regions around the UK, including right here on the Isle of Wight, will benefit from the cash, generating highly skilled jobs across the nation and positioning the UK as a world leader in green solutions.
The £6million Wightlink Net Zero project, led by Helix Renewable Energy Services Ltd, will demonstrate that clean shore power technology can decarbonise the Portsmouth Gunwharf to Fishbourne ferry route, by charging a fully electric ferry service within the busy daily operating schedule of its fleet.
The project consists of a design and build of shore electric charging infrastructure together with modifications to Victoria of Wight to add charging pockets. Once complete, Victoria of Wight will demonstrate the ability to connect, charge and disconnect each time she docks for routine commercial operations. Data gathered from each of these docking evolutions will be analysed to understand the reliability of the connection and charging process.
Wightlink has been given £42,414, whilst Helix Renewable Energy Services has been given £951,012 as part of this project. A further £2.2million has been handed to ABB Limited, bringing the total project funding to £3.25million.
Another local project has been given £1.3million of funding; the Zero Emission Solent Tri Foiler project, led by Chartwell Marine Ltd. This project is looking to develop an electric hydro-foiling high-speed boat capable of carrying up to 40 people on coastal routes, for example from Cowes to Southampton, or Hythe to Southampton.
Wight Shipyard Co has received a massive £4million as part of the Zero Emission Cross River Ferry project, supported by Collins River Enterprises, BAE Systems, Beckett Rankine and Aqua Superpower. The project funding totals £6.2million with an expected overall cost of £9.8million.
Carisbrooke Shipping Limited has been awarded £96,436 as part of the Carnot High Efficiency Hydrogen Combustion Engine Demonstrator project.
Cowes Harbour Commission has been awarded £68,617 as part of another project, the Clean Hybrid Alternative Marine Powertrain (CHAMP) 2.
During the 2-year investment period, successful companies will be required to demonstrate that their projects will work in the real world, helping them to progress towards becoming an everyday reality.
Transport Secretary Mark Harper has this week said:
“Our maritime sector imports 95% of goods into the UK and contributes £116 billion to our economy – more than both aviation and rail combined.
“With growing the economy one of the Government’s top priorities, we must continue our efforts to ensure the UK remains a pioneer in cutting-edge clean maritime solutions.
“The funding we’re awarding today will help to do just that, bringing emission-free concepts to life and fuelling innovation”.
Wightlink and Red Funnel are amongst the best operators in the world for using green energy to help save the planet, they just cut services almost daily thus reducing their footprint to zero at those times.
A TUNNEL would be carbon free… why waste money on ferries..
Err…
Try again.
Concrete, of which VAST quantities would be required for your tunnel is one of the worst ‘CO2 causing’ products known.
Or do you intend to plant TRILLIONS, yes Trillions of trees to ‘offset your carbon footprint’?!
Building it wouldn’t be, who’ll fund it, where on mainland will it exit, on island the exit/ entrance will be next to your house or not
Well they already make great CO2 savings each time they cancel their ferries don’t they?
Communists! The state intervention is destroying the market!