PORTS of Jersey is continuing work to enable hydrogen-powered flight and trial drone technology as it tries to drive down carbon emissions and achieve “one of the first operationally net-zero airports in Europe”.
The organisation’s chief executive, Matt Thomas, said the Island remained “a test bed for sustainable technology and innovation”.
He made the comments as Ports unveiled a roadmap outlining how it would reduce its energy consumption by 20%, become operationally net-zero and support its business partners and customers to cut their carbon emissions by 30% – all by 2030. The report highlights a number of emission-reducing targets, including converting 90% of the boilers it owns to electric or hydrotreated vegetable oil fuel by the end of 2025, as well as ensuring all terminal and runway lighting is LED by the end of 2025 and 2035 respectively.
Additionally, all of Ports’ new vehicles will either be electric, hybrid or run on HVO from 2025.
Commenting on the roadmap, Mr Thomas said: “It explains how we plan to become one of the first operationally net-zero airports in Europe. We will reduce the emissions under our direct control and support our stakeholders, passengers and business partners to decarbonise our indirect emissions.”
He added: “As well as upgrading the fuel we use in our own buildings and vehicles, we remain a test bed for sustainable technology and innovation. We are continuing to work with Blue Islands and Universal Hydrogen to enable hydrogen-powered, zero-emissions flying and with ALIAS to trial delivery by drones.”
The former project involves the use of green hydrogen as an alternative, fully decarbonised aviation fuel.
Universal Hydrogen and Blue Islands have signed a letter of intent to use the aerospace company’s aircraft conversion kits on Blue Islands’ ATR 72 aircraft.
Meanwhile, Ports of Jersey is also working alongside Digital Jersey and Volant Autonomy to help facilitate the ALIAS programme, which seeks to ensure that drone operations are safe and adhere to aviation standards.
Head of sustainability and community value for Ports of Jersey Sophie Roffe said the roadmap would “continue to evolve” as new technology becomes available.
She added: “We cannot undertake this journey alone, and are committed to working with our community, government, local business, industry, our employees and business partners to deliver our net-zero ambitions.”
