Leading the Charge towards a Green Energy Revolution: Innovative Projects and Initiatives in Port of Victoria

Renewable energy is created from sources that naturally replenish themselves – such as sunlight, wind, water, biomass, and even geothermal (underground) heat. The advantages of renewable energy have been known for a very long time – such as cleaner air, lower carbon emissions, the conservation of natural resources, and substantial long-term savings.

Environmental and economic benefits of using renewable energy include:

• Generating energy that produces no greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels and reduces some types of air pollution
• Diversifying energy supply and reducing dependence on imported fuels
• Creating economic development and jobs in manufacturing, installation, and more.

In the last decade, wind and solar deployment have increased more rapidly than any other non-combustion-based electricity-generating technology; at the same time, regulatory changes and fossil fuel price changes have led to steep cuts in overall power-sector emissions of criteria air pollutants and CO2.

In America, we’re embracing renewables at a remarkable rate, with clean energy now outpacing coal for the first time in the modern era. Wind farms, solar panels, hydropower stations, and even large-scale batteries are appearing all over the country in an effort to decarbonize our electricity and transport networks.

And in addition to keeping millions of people at work over extended periods – many renewable energy jobs also pay above-average wages.

First Ammonia: A Green Technology project to produce  commercial-scale Green Ammonia

The Victoria County Navigation District is discussing with First Ammonia,  a potential green technology project at the Port. First Ammonia is considering a lease with a 50-year option on 115 acres at the Port's newly founded Texas Logistics Center. They would be the center's first customer to capitalize on the Port's recent infrastructure investments. If the contract comes to fruition, First Ammonia would be investing an initial 275 million dollars in infrastructure, with the possibility of a complete buildout totaling one billion dollars.

First Ammonia seeks to develop one of the world's first commercial-scale green ammonia production facilities at the Port. The plant would use renewable solar and wind power to fuel energy-efficient solid oxide electrolyzer cells (SOEC) that produce ammonia from water and air. The plant is expected to be fully operational in late 2025 and create approximately 50 locally sourced jobs.

Vitis Energy: 2nd  Green Energy project in Port of Victoria

As the country shifts from fossil fuels to clean energy sources, a utility-scale renewable energy plant using solar combined with battery storage is also on the cards in Port of Victoria, with the potential of powering homes in the community with clean, reliable energy. The power generation facility will be based on 150 acres and will be developed by Vitis Energy. Renewable energy, such as solar and wind, can be used to generate electricity that can power homes and communities. In addition, these energy projects located at the port could provide direct green energy to various projects, such as electric vehicle charging stations, lighting systems, and other infrastructure. This would not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve local air quality but also increase energy independence and resilience.

Vitis Energy is a company that employs cost-effective technologies and creates energy storage solutions, that reduce costs, improve power reliability and enhance sustainability. The company utilizes state-of-the-art tools to better manage energy demand, and maximize energy savings across multiple customer facilities through the use of energy management software.

Sean Stibich, Executive Director, of the Port of Victoria, stated, "Working on Green Energy projects and helping the community to derive comprehensive benefits from them is very exciting for us. We look forward to working closely with First Ammonia and Vitis Energy - both projects will complement each other very well.  Port of Victoria is committed to enhancing growth and development in the area, and projects like these can catalyze investments, attract new jobs and industries, as well as deploy the use of  emerging technologies in our region.”