APM Terminals Apapa, a leading terminal operator in Lagos, Nigeria, has announced a comprehensive roadmap to transition from diesel to gas and eventually to solar and battery-powered solutions. According to Steen Knudsen, Terminal Manager at APMT, the company aims to fully decarbonize its operations and has designed a one-year plan to achieve this goal. “As a company, we acknowledge that transition is not an overnight journey, and so we have designed a roadmap on how we move from the current state to the future state where our operations are fully decarbonised,” Knudsen stated.
The terminal has already taken significant steps towards reducing its carbon footprint. Recently, APMT commissioned two new CNG generators of 4MW capacity, shifting its reliance from diesel to gas as a fuel source for power generation. This move aligns with the Nigerian government’s commitment to using gas for power generation. With this shift, all the terminal’s reefer plugs, buildings, and lighting will be powered by gas, reducing carbon emissions while continuing the transition to more environmentally friendly options.
APMT plans to further decarbonize its operations through an onsite solar solution, which will displace up to 30% of its consumption and increase its self-generation capabilities. The terminal aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040, integrating sustainable practices that boost efficiency while minimizing environmental impact. Chinyere Adenaike, Head of Procurement at APM Terminals Nigeria, emphasized the importance of collaboration with government and private stakeholders to achieve this goal.
Adenaike noted that achieving net-zero ambition requires strong commitment and deeper collaboration from the government, as well as private investments to strengthen critical power infrastructure and introduce favourable regulations enabling this energy transition and sustainable port operations. APMT has already begun engaging with key stakeholders, including the Nigerian Port Authority, Transmission Company of Nigeria, local distribution companies, and renewable energy developers in the region.
The terminal’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint is commendable, and its plan to leverage Nigeria’s high levels of solar radiation to power its operations is a step in the right direction. As Adenaike stated, “Nigeria is blessed with high levels of solar radiation, which positions our country as a promising location for both large-scale solar photovoltaic and solar thermal electricity projects, and we at the terminal are committed to leveraging this opportunity to make our operations green.”
