Perth Port Powering Up With Solar Panels

Better late than never. More than 1,100 solar panels installed on the rooftop of Perth’s Fremantle Passenger Terminal are about to be switched on.

WA Ports Minister Rita Saffioti yesterday announced completion of the 500kW array – one of the largest in the Perth Metropolitan area – that will help power Victoria Quay. The PV installation will generate approximately 836 MWh of electricity each year and supply equivalent to 100 per cent of the passenger terminal’s electricity requirements during cruise ship operations and 65 per cent of Fremantle Ports’ administration building needs. In terms Fremantle Ports’ overall direct electricity usage, the array will supply equivalent to 2.5 per cent.

“This is a great example of how community assets, like the Fremantle Passenger Terminal, can play a role in climate action,” said Minister Saffioti. “The McGowan Government is committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050 and, with this project, Fremantle Ports has demonstrated strong and sensible leadership at the local level in terms of cutting emissions.”

It was originally intended the project would be completed by the end of 2021, but …stuff. Among that stuff – likely impacts of the pandemic and the fact Fremantle Passenger Terminal is a heritage listed building, which can complicate matters as special permissions and considerations are required.

The building, which was opened in two stages in 1960 and 1962, is Australia’s largest cruise terminal.

Commenting on the project, State Labor Member for Fremantle Simone McGurk said:

“Fremantle locals are known for being environmentally conscious so it’s great to see our iconic passenger terminal going green by embracing solar power.”

Locals certainly understand and appreciate the benefits of solar energy. In Fremantle, solar panels are a fairly common sight on the rooftops of homes and businesses, with more than 943 small-scale systems installed in the 6160 postcode area as at December 31, 2022. In terms of the City of Fremantle local government area, the Australian Photovoltaic Institute (APVI) provides the following solar power stats to the end of December last year:

• Estimated installed capacity: 21,124 kW
• Under 10kW: 16,390 kW (installations under 10kW: 4,108)
• 10-100kW: 3,909 kW (installations: 156)
• Over 100kW: 825 kW (installations: 3)

Fremantle Ports’ Net-Zero Goal

The $950,000 installation is contributing to Fremantle Ports’ goal of achieving net zero scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2027. Scope 1 emissions refer to direct emissions from sources an entity owns or controls and Scope 2 emissions are those associated with generation of energy purchased. In this case, it also includes emissions from power purchased on behalf of port users.

Among other actions towards the net-zero goal, Fremantle Ports has been replacing conventional street lighting around the Fremantle Inner Harbour with energy-efficient LED lighting, which uses a fraction of the electricity.

The PV installation isn’t the first use of solar power by Fremantle Ports, albeit other applications are much smaller. The organisation says out of its 133 navigational aids, 80 per cent have been powered by solar energy for more than 25 years.