Carnival Corporation Expands Clean Energy Investment with New Solar Parks
Carnival Corporation has unveiled two new solar parks at its port destinations in Mahogany Bay, Roatán, Honduras, and Puerto Maya, Cozumel, Mexico. Together, the projects are set to generate 15.8 GW of clean energy annually.
These solar parks, located at port destinations operated by subsidiary Carnival Cruise Line, are part of the company’s commitment to environmental stewardship. The projects were developed in partnership with Enertiva, a leader in renewable energy solutions in Latin America.
The solar parks are expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 11,600 tonnes of CO2e each year—an environmental benefit equivalent to removing 2,500 cars from the road annually.
The Mahogany Bay project is the first large-scale solar installation on the island of Roatán. With over 4,400 solar panels, it will generate 2.8 GW of clean energy each year, meeting the power needs of both the port and the island’s electric grid. For more information on solar developments in Honduras, visit Honduras – PVknowhow.com.
Completed in mid-2024, the Puerto Maya Solar Park is the largest solar installation in Cozumel. It covers 6.5 hectares with more than 20,000 solar panels and will generate 13 GW of clean energy annually, enough to power the port and 1,800 homes on the island. For more on Mexico’s solar industry, visit Mexico Solar News Archives – PVknowhow.com.
A Broader Commitment to Port Sustainability
These solar parks are a key component of Carnival Corporation’s broader sustainability initiatives. The company is also investing in shore power technology, which allows ships to turn off their engines and connect to local power grids while docked.
In Puerto Maya, Carnival Corporation is developing a first-of-its-kind microgrid. This system will enable the port to operate independently of the local power grid by using solar energy stored in batteries.
The company is working to expand shore power capacity at its ports in both Cozumel and Mahogany Bay. In Cozumel, it is exploring the use of solar to provide shore power to ships, with the project expected to be completed by 2025. In Mahogany Bay, Carnival is collaborating with the local utility to use the new solar park to help power its ships while they are in port.
Strategic Partnership with Enertiva Powers Solar Projects
The solar parks were developed through a partnership with Enertiva, a leading renewable energy solutions provider in Central America and the Caribbean. Enertiva has been instrumental in helping Carnival Corporation achieve its sustainability goals.
The partnership with Enertiva is a key part of Carnival Corporation’s broader sustainability strategy. In addition to the solar parks, the company is investing in other clean energy projects, such as wind power and biofuels.
These efforts are part of Carnival Corporation’s commitment to reduce its environmental impact and support the transition to a low-carbon economy. The company aims to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Carnival Corporation’s solar parks in Roatán and Cozumel represent a significant step toward its sustainability goals. The parks will provide clean energy to the ports and local communities, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and support the company’s broader mission to achieve net-zero emissions.
