ABP Unveils Ambitious Plans for Barrow Port, Including Floating Solar Farm
Associated British Ports (ABP) has revealed exciting plans for the future of Barrow Port, including a groundbreaking floating solar farm. The ambitious blueprint aims to position Barrow as a sustainable and forward-thinking industrial hub. The Barrow EnergyDock, the first major project under ABP’s masterplan, is set to go to public consultation soon. This innovative initiative involves the installation of a 32MW floating solar farm in Cavendish Dock. Kirsten Abbott, Commercial Manager (Energy) at ABP, expressed the company’s enthusiasm for the project, highlighting its potential to meet the green energy needs of Barrow’s industries and solidify the port’s reputation as a progressive industrial center.
Michelle Scrogham, MP for Barrow and Furness, praised ABP’s visionary approach and emphasized the long-term benefits that the masterplan will bring to the community. She expressed her excitement about the new opportunities that these plans will create for the people of Barrow. Barrow has already established itself as a key player in the offshore wind industry. With five operations and maintenance (O&M) bases already in place, ABP is planning to expand its facilities to accommodate the growing sector. This includes the construction of new O&M bases and berths capable of handling larger service operation vessels (SOVs). One such development is the Walney Channel O&M Base, where ABP has identified 4.7 acres of land adjacent to Ramsey Way. This site will provide essential facilities to support future wind energy projects, including warehousing, crew facilities, and marine access points for SOVs and Crew Transfer Vessels (CTVs).
Beyond O&M facilities, ABP aims to support the construction process of wind farms themselves. With an estimated £17bn investment in wind energy expected to come to the Eastern Irish Sea under the Round 4 process, Barrow’s expansion will ensure its position as a hub for wind energy, creating high-skill jobs and driving economic growth. The blueprint also includes exciting proposals for maritime connections to support hydrogen import and carbon storage. ABP’s masterplan serves as a “call to action” for all stakeholders in Barrow to collaborate and ensure the town’s continued success in adapting to and thriving in the face of new opportunities. #ABP #BarrowPort #FloatingSolarFarm #RenewableEnergy #OffshoreWind #GreenEnergy #Sustainability #IndustrialHub #EconomicGrowth #JobCreation #Hydrogen #CarbonStorage