SIPA GOING GREEN: Pacific Port initiative
Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA) is currently implementing a quality, energy, and environmental management approach for its port's operations as a guiding principle in support of the Pacific Community's (SPC) Green Pacific Port initiative. Revealing this initiative Dr Zullah Mohammed Asid of SPC said that the Green Pacific Port Initiative aims at improving efficiency and resilience of port operations and infrastructure whilst simultaneously reducing environmental and carbon footprints.
Green Pacific Port discussion took place during a special session of the Maritime Technology Cooperation Centre in the Pacific (MTCC-Pacific)Third Steering Committee Meeting chaired by Fiji with members From Pacific Island countries and regional partners’ Asid said that in piloting this initiative, Solomon Island has demonstrated strong leadership and successful strategies as demonstrated by the positive results achieved in the past few months SIPA reported an overall energy saving of 8% amounting to 15 tons of greenhouse gas emission reduction with an equivalent monetary value of AU$17,000 per month in 2018.He revealed that his recent visit to Noro would help him gauge the possibility of building a solar farm as the source of energy supply to the port there. Glen Joshua of SIPA said that the initiative would enable ports to save more money through reduction of energy consumption from fossil fuels.
Mr Joshua also mentioned that SIPA is fully committed to the project and is working closely with SPC to see the goals of the project realized. He added that this initiative is compatible with the government's vision to reduce heavy reliance on fossil fuels and enhance environmentally friendly development in the country.
SIPA Chief Executive Officer, Eranda Kotelawala highlighted in last month's meeting in Fiji that the new investment in solar power is to supply perimeter lighting for both Honiara and Noro ports as well as the provision of electricity to all refrigerated containers and the newly invested yard-handling equipment. He said, ''We have adopted ambitious targets to contribute to country efforts in reducing energy consumption and greenhouse emissions and a clear vision of green ports in Solomon Islands and to transform Noro into a carbon neutral port by 2030.''
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