CentrePort electrification steps up

About $15 million to electrify vehicles, generate renewable energy and upgrade energy efficiency at CentrePort in Wellington has been announced by New Zealand Green Investment Finance (NZGIF).

First up among projects already commissioned are electric port vehicles due to arrive later this year.

The NZGIF’s first investment decision to cut emissions at the port is welcomed by climate change minister James Shaw.

“This has been a huge week for climate action,” Shaw says.

“A few days ago we passed a law to fix our emissions trading scheme, turning it into one of the most effective tools we have to ensure a stable climate, and now we welcome the first investment of Green Investment Finance.”

NZGIF was created to support the transition towards a net-zero-emissions New Zealand by 2050, a commitment under the Zero Carbon Act.

“As we recover from the global pandemic we have the opportunity to invest in a clean-tech, high-value economy that works for everyone,” Shaw says.

“I hope it will inspire other organisations to make similar climate-friendly investment decisions.”

NZGIF expects the port announcement will be the first in a series of investments planned for 2020.

A story earlier this year featured CentrePort’s electrification plans.