International energy company E.ON will support Peel Ports Group’s plans for a new multimodal centre for manufacturing, logistics and energy on Scotland’s west coast.
Peels Ports, the UK’s second largest port group, is currently preparing Scotland’s Hunterston Port and Resource Centre (PARC) for significant development.
The site, which includes one of the deepest ports on the UK’s west coast, will have infrastructure suited for manufacturing, processing, recycling and innovation, and is located on the Firth of Clyde in Ayrshire, 40 miles west of Glasgow.
It will combine a deepwater port with road and rail connections, including two on-site rail terminals linked to the Largs/Glasgow line.
The 200-acre site is expected to attract significant interest from energy-intensive industries looking to tap into cost competitive, on-site power.
E.ON will provide strategic support to assess the new project’s viability and identify a range of options for providing efficient, secure and more sustainable sources of energy for customers locating on the Hunterston site.
Learn how Peel Ports is training its ship-to-shore crane operators by reading the 'Consistent Training: The Key to Port Success' technical paper
As part of the relationship, the company will help Peel Ports develop attractive energy solutions for investors and operators on the site, with the potential for renewables facilities and innovative energy approaches.
Gary Hodgson, Strategic Projects Director, Peel Ports, said: “We’re really pleased to be working with E.ON to develop our offering at Hunterston PARC.
“With E.ON’s extensive experience in delivering reliable and lower carbon energy solutions for business we’re confident that we can bring together some of Scotland’s most energy-intensive industries with affordable and sustainable on-site power and heat generation, and transform the site into a strategic energy hub offering self-sustaining and cost-effective operating solutions.”
Jim Cleland, UK Country Lead, Industrial Generation, E.ON, added: “The opportunity presented by Hunterston PARC clearly fits with E.ON’s ambitions across Europe to provide smarter, lower carbon energy solutions such as integrated battery storage and combined heat and power systems.
“We have worked with Peel Ports for many years and this is an exciting chance to explore further opportunities, clearly focused on minimising the overall environmental impact for the long term whilst meeting customers’ expectations in terms of cost and energy security.”
