A 7.2-megawatt solar project at Port Newark Container Terminal (PNCT) is now generating half of the terminal’s annual energy needs, helping reduce emissions and supplying excess energy to Newark and nearby communities.
Port Newark Container Terminal (PNCT), in collaboration with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the City of Newark, has completed one of the most substantial in-terminal solar installations in the world. The 7.2 MW system not only provides renewable energy to the terminal’s daily operations, but it also has the capacity to feed surplus electricity into the local grid—delivering clean energy to Newark residents and businesses.
The system is a core part of PNCT’s push to develop a microgrid operating at net-zero emissions. The project aligns with the Port Authority’s broader climate agenda, which includes a commitment to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. That goal applies not only to its own facilities but also to tenants and operators across its network.
“This project is a win for Newark residents, a win for the environment, and a win for our seaport,” said Kevin O’Toole, Chairman of the Port Authority. He emphasized the project’s dual benefit: powering a major terminal and improving energy access in local communities.
The installation uses an innovative design that maximizes limited space. Solar arrays were placed on rooftops, above parking areas, and over active truck lanes—generating clean power without disrupting daily operations or sacrificing valuable terminal ground space. In total, the panels span 7.8 acres but occupy just 1,500 square feet of land area.
Rick Cotton, Executive Director of the Port Authority, noted that the PNCT installation represents a tangible milestone in the Port of New York and New Jersey’s journey toward more sustainable cargo handling. “This is proof that growth in port volumes and progress in sustainability can go hand in hand,” he said.
Since going live in 2023, the solar system has already delivered impressive environmental returns. According to PNCT’s real-time monitoring dashboard, the energy produced so far equates to removing 5,801 metric tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere—the equivalent of planting more than 150,000 trees.
The project’s design and execution earned the Solar Builder Project of the Year Editor’s Choice award. Construction occurred without any interruption to terminal operations, no small feat in a high-traffic environment with constant truck and cargo activity.
Mayor Ras J. Baraka of Newark highlighted the partnership’s broader impact: “This micro-grid improves our environment, health, and economy. It’s another example of how public-private collaboration can deliver real benefits to our communities.”
Jim Pelliccio, CEO of PNCT, echoed that sentiment, noting that the solar project is part of a larger vision for Port Newark that blends operational growth with environmental stewardship. “We’re setting standards for efficiency and sustainability that extend far beyond our gates,” he said.
In addition to solar, PNCT has taken several steps under its lease agreement with the Port Authority to transition toward greener operations. Terminal lighting has been converted to LED, hybrid straddle carriers are in use, and energy-efficient electric cranes have been deployed. The terminal also uses liquid propane gas (LPG) yard tractors, which have led to a 99 percent reduction in particulate matter and major cuts in NOx and SO2 emissions.
These efforts dovetail with several Port Authority-wide initiatives:
- The Truck Replacement Program, which incentivizes the switch to cleaner trucks.
- The Clean Vessel Incentive, rewarding ocean carriers that slow steam to conserve fuel.
- Rules requiring cargo handling equipment to transition to zero-emissions models.
- Expansion of the ExpressRail system, reducing dependence on long-haul trucking.
The Port of New York and New Jersey has reported measurable results. Since 2006, sulfur dioxide emissions are down 98 percent, with nitrogen oxides and particulate matter cut by more than 70 percent—all while cargo throughput has increased by nearly 60 percent.
The solar installation at PNCT is now a flagship example of how logistics infrastructure can serve both business growth and environmental responsibility—without compromise.
