The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, in partnership with Port Newark Container Terminal (PNCT) and the city of Newark, has completed a 7.2-megawatt solar installation at PNCT.
This renewable energy system now supplies 50% of the terminal’s annual energy needs and can send excess energy to the regional power grid, benefiting Newark and surrounding communities. This project significantly reduces emissions and enhances air quality, supporting both environmental and public health goals.
The installation is one of the largest in-terminal renewable energy projects in the world and plays a major role in PNCT’s plan to develop a net-zero emissions microgrid. It also advances the Port Authority’s commitment to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The solar system spans 7.8 acres through elevated canopy structures over truck lanes and parking areas, offering an efficient, dual-use design that maximizes energy output without disrupting terminal operations.
Through its net-zero roadmap, the Port Authority has committed to reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, and to facilitating its tenants and operating partners in achieving the same goal in the same timeframe. At the Port of New York and New Jersey, those efforts have included:
- The Truck Replacement Program, offering financial incentives to truck companies to replace older, dirtier engine models with newer, cleaner models
- The Clean Vessel Incentive, using financial incentives to ocean carriers that voluntarily slow steam near the port to reduce air emissions and encourage fuel conservation
- The agency’s marine terminal rules and regulations, which requires terminal operators to transition to zero-emission cargo handling equipment as the equipment becomes commercially available, intended to foster market demand and spur industry innovation
- The buildout of the seaport’s on-dock ExpressRail system, enabling goods to reach the Midwest, New England, and eastern Canada more sustainably than via truck
Key stakeholders praised the 7.2-megawatt solar installation at Port Newark Container Terminal as a model of sustainable development and collaboration. Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole called it a win for Newark, the environment, and the seaport, emphasizing the power of partnership to benefit both port operations and the surrounding community. Executive Director Rick Cotton noted the project’s role in advancing the Port Authority’s aggressive sustainability goals while accommodating growing cargo volumes.
Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka celebrated the initiative as a shared success that boosts environmental health, sustainable energy, and the local economy. He highlighted the city’s strong, long-term partnership with PNCT in addressing mutual challenges. PNCT CEO Jim Pelliccio echoed this sentiment, framing the solar installation as a foundational step in reimagining Port Newark with an emphasis on environmental responsibility, operational efficiency, and community well-being.
