Associated British Ports, the UK’s leading ports operator, has announced the ‘Energy Ventures Accelerator’, an initiative to help startups in high-growth energy sectors like hydrogen, floating wind, and low-carbon fuels. This programme will be delivered in partnership with Plug and Play, a global innovation platform and venture capital investor. ABP is the first UK port operator to collaborate with Plug and Play, which has a network of over 550 corporate partners and 65,000 startups.

The Energy Ventures Accelerator aligns with ABP’s mission of Keeping Britain trading and emphasises enabling the energy transition. ABP will focus on industrial decarbonisation in the Humber, floating offshore wind in South Wales, and maritime decarbonisation in Southampton. With major development sites and a blue-chip customer base, ABP will support startups by providing access to port infrastructure for global export.

Henrik L. Pedersen, ABP CEO, highlighted the importance of partnership and innovation in addressing the challenges and opportunities of the energy transition. He stated, “ABP is excited to use our assets to support the best and brightest companies to prosper, bringing good jobs and investment into our port communities, while also supporting the UK’s energy transition and economic growth.”

Kieran Borrett, director at Plug and Play UK, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, noting that ABP’s assets and sustainability commitments make them an ideal partner for startups in the energy transition space.

ABP’s 21 ports across England, Scotland, and Wales contribute £15 billion to the UK economy annually, directly employing over 2,500 people and supporting over 200,000 jobs in supply chains. Committed to reaching net zero operations by 2040, ABP launched its sustainability strategy, ‘Ready for Tomorrow’, in February 2023. Since then, ABP has reduced GHG emissions by 8.5 percent and increased its recycling rate to 73 percent.

For more information visit www.abports.co.uk