Power NI is helping to revolutionise the global maritime transport sector as part of the Belfast consortium, led by Artemis Technologies, which is developing a zero-emission electric hydrofoil ferry.
A Belfast Maritime Consortium led by Artemis Technologies has won a £33 million UK Government innovation grant to develop zero emissions ferries in the city, that will transform the future of maritime transport. With further investment from consortium partners, the total project investment will reach close to £60m over the next four years, creating an initial 125 research and development jobs, and leading to more than 1,000 in the region over the next 10 years.
The 13-partner syndicate - which is a mix of established and young companies, including Belfast Harbour and Bombardier, academia and local public bodies - is the only Northern Irish or maritime recipient of the UK Research and Innovation flagship Strength in Places Fund.
Power NI will be the green energy supplier for the project. Director of Customer Solutions (NI), William Steele commented:
“Power NI is proud to be the energy partner responsible for the installation of the electric hydrofoil charging infrastructure. Renewable hydrogen will play a key role in the decarbonisation of maritime transport, with zero-carbon hydrogen fuel cells providing greater range for the electric hydrofoil ferry.
“Always looking forward, we are committed to playing our part in creating a more sustainable future for Northern Ireland and undertaking innovative and sustainable business projects.
“This exciting project will boost Northern Ireland’s growing expertise in zero-emission transport and build on our parent company Energia’s partnership with Translink and Wrightbus to trial double-decker buses, fuelled by renewable hydrogen, in Belfast.”
A spin-off from the America’s Cup sailing team, Artemis Racing, Artemis Technologies is led by double Olympic gold medallist Iain Percy OBE. Iain commented; “Our concept for an electric hydrofoil propulsion system is totally unique and will enable vessels of the future to operate with up to 90% less energy, and to produce zero emissions during operation.
“As cities across the world seek ways to reduce pollution and ease traffic congestion, the transformative vessels to be produced right here in Belfast, will have a global role to play in delivering the connected maritime transport system of the future.
“This investment from the UKRI Strength in Places Fund is a major endorsement of what we are trying to achieve, which we strongly believe will see Northern Ireland at the centre of the revolution in water transport.”
The Belfast consortium brings together a range of private sector companies, universities, and public bodies, including Belfast Harbour, Bombardier Belfast, Northern Ireland Advanced Composites Engineering (NIACE), Creative Composites, Catalyst, Invest Northern Ireland, Ulster University, Belfast Met, Queen’s University, Belfast, Ards and North Down Borough Council, and Belfast City Council.
