SailGP has taken a further step in its commitment to driving sustainable innovation across the marine sector by partnering with Repsol to provide renewable fuel to all SailGP support boats during the Spain Sail Grand Prix | Andalucía - Cádiz on October 14-15.
Following a trial with Repsol in 2022 where the Spain SailGP Team substituted gasoline with renewable fuel, Repsol has expanded its involvement to become the official event supplier of the Spain Sail Grand Prix in 2023.
The trial last year reduced the league’s on-water footprint by 760 kg of carbon dioxide through the provision of 600 liters of sustainable fuel, with savings of this year’s activities estimated to be around 23,000 kg of carbon dioxide across the entire support fleet when the world’s most exciting race on water arrives in the picturesque port of Cádiz, a fan favorite event on the global Championship calendar. This is anticipated to reduce the total Scope 1 carbon footprint of the event by up to 45% on last season.
SailGP Transition and Innovation Manager Tom Verity said: “SailGP has the ability to be a transformational influence on the whole marine sector through our ambition to decarbonise our power boat support fleet. Our target is for SailGP’s entire support fleet to be 100 per cent powered by clean energy by 2025, so this partnership with Repsol is a significant step on the journey to achieving this goal. Both Repsol and SailGP are united in their pursuit to reduce carbon emissions and accelerate the transition to clean energy, so we’re looking forward to working together to transform this sector.”
Carlos Sánchez Nieto, Commercial Manager Marine Fuels: "The fact of being able to partner with such a prestigious sports event as SailGP, is a satisfaction for Repsol. We have an absolute commitment with decarbonization in all areas and being able to use high competition as a testing ground for renewable fuels is fantastic for us. In the marine industry, being able to apply all the knowledge and technological innovation that Repsol has in favor of sustainability.
Marc Masagué, Spain SailGP Team Commercial Director, said: "We are proud to be able to count with Repsol as a partner of the Spain Sail Grand Prix - Andalucía I Cádiz. Being one of the most important energetic companies in our country, Repsol is a model in energetic transition matters.
Technological innovation driving sustainability
SailGP is the world’s most exciting racing on water. The global championship features national teams battling in short, intense races at iconic stadium-style venues across the globe. The high-tech, high-speed action features sailing’s best athletes racing in identical hydrofoiling F50 catamarans, flying at speeds approaching 100 km/h.
It is about the first sports entity climate positive which works to contribute for a better future in and out of the water, accelerating the transition to the use of clean energy. SailGP has the goal of having its events fully Powered by Nature by 2025 and achieving a 55% reduction in its direct operational carbon footprint.
Renewable fuels are one of the main pillars of Repsol's strategy to reduce transport’s carbon footprint within the upcoming years. They are liquid fuels manufactured with alternative renewable raw materials such as sustainable vegetable oils, used vegetable oils, animal fats and waste from the agri-food and forest industries among others. They also represent a real and already available alternative for decarbonizing mobility, specifically in sectors such as aviation, maritime transport and the heavy transport via road which traverse long distances which are hard to electrify.
Repsol wants to become a model in the production of these fuels in Europe, with the production of over 2 million tons of renewable fuels by 2030 which will help reduce over 7 million CO2 tons.
