GREEN ENERGY OPPORTUNITIES AT THE PORT OF WORKINGTON

CUMBERLAND COUNCIL

BACKGROUND

The Port of Workington is a regional seaport owned by Cumberland Council, handling around 300 ship movements and 300,000 tonnes of cargo annually. With strong road and rail links, the Port plays a key role in Cumbria’s logistics network.

Its Masterplan sets out a clear ambition to become a hub for clean and green industries, supporting the Clean Energy Coast cluster. Existing infrastructure includes RWE’s operations base for the Robin Rigg Wind Farm.

Following remediation of 8 hectares of land, the Port is now exploring renewable energy generation to accelerate its net zero transition, enable tenant decarbonisation and unlock further investment.

OUTCOME

D3A carried out an energy demand assessment to establish a carbon baseline and model future demand, including electrified heating and transport. Projected annual electricity demand is approximately 1,000MWh.

A wide range of renewable technologies was reviewed for feasibility, generation potential and site suitability. Using a structured scoring matrix, two options progressed to concept design and financial modelling:

• 500kW ground-mounted solar PV with 250kWh battery storage

• 1MW onshore wind turbine with 250kWh battery storage

Both options demonstrate viable economics and strong carbon savings. Solar PV offers lower capital cost and faster payback, while wind provides greater generation, higher carbon reductions and increased energy self- sufficiency.

Planning, environmental and grid risks were identified but are considered manageable with appropriate early-stage studies and stakeholder engagement.