Key Points
- Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald has announced a £15 million investment into zero-emission transport and energy innovation at Belfast Harbour.
- The funding forms part of the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Local Innovation Partnerships Fund (LIPF) and is the second project stemming from a £30 million allocation to the Belfast-Derry Innovation Corridor.
- The initiative, named the Zero Emissions Transport and Energy Cluster (ZETEC), is led by green maritime specialist Artemis Technologies.
- Belfast Harbour will serve as a live operational testing site integrating electric vessels, high-power marine charging, autonomous transport, and energy systems connected via secure digital twin technology.
- Delivery partners involved in ZETEC include Belfast Harbour, Digital Catapult / UK Digital Twin Centre, the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC), and the Centre for Secure Information Technologies (CSIT).
- The proposal was formally approved by the local LIPF Innovation Panel, comprising academia, industry, and government stakeholders.
Ireland Now News (INN) October 15, 2026 – Belfast Harbour is set to become a real-world testing ground for next-generation zero-emission transport and energy systems following a major £15 million investment announced by Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald. The new initiative, titled the Zero Emissions Transport and Energy Cluster (ZETEC), aims to establish an integrated testing environment to evaluate clean marine and energy technologies in live operational conditions, helping lower barriers to commercial adoption.
As reported by the Department for the Economy Press Office, the £15 million investment is drawn from the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Local Innovation Partnerships Fund (LIPF). This represents the second major project supported through the broader £30 million funding package earmarked for the Belfast-Derry Innovation Corridor.
What Is the Zero Emissions Transport and Energy Cluster (ZETEC)?
The ZETEC project is led by Belfast-headquartered green maritime company Artemis Technologies. The core objective of the cluster is to link electric vessel operations, high-power maritime charging infrastructure, autonomous transport, and clean energy grid management. These systems will be integrated using secure digital twin technology, allowing researchers and operators to gather operational data and monitor performance in real time.
Testing these technologies concurrently in an active port setting is designed to produce real-world evidence regarding integrated system performance. According to the Department for the Economy, evaluating these components together is expected to accelerate commercial adoption across maritime and transport markets.
In official statements issued by the Department for the Economy, Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald stated:
“This £15m investment is a significant boost for our growing zero-emission transport and energy sector. By bringing together expertise in advanced manufacturing, clean energy, digital technologies and cyber security, ZETEC will help turn cutting-edge innovation into practical, commercially viable solutions.
“Supporting innovation and accelerating the development of new technologies is central to building a more productive and sustainable economy, creating new economic opportunities and strengthening our position in these important industries.”
How Does UKRI and local Leadership Support the Cluster?
The project was evaluated and approved by the local LIPF Innovation Panel, a body made up of representatives from regional academia, industry, and government. The Local Innovation Partnerships Fund is a flagship British government scheme delivered through UKRI with an overall national allocation of £500 million to strengthen regional innovation ecosystems and generate economic growth across every postcode.
Addressing the strategic significance of the funding award, UKRI Chief Executive Professor Sir Ian Chapman stated:
“ZETEC is a critical Local Innovation Partnerships Fund project in Northern Ireland to bring clean transport to market faster by reducing risks and supporting the adoption of electric and autonomous technologies.
“This builds on local strengths and knowledge to advance knowledge, improve lives and drive growth.”
Who Are the Core Delivery Partners Behind ZETEC?
While Artemis Technologies acts as the lead organisation, the delivery of the ZETEC program involves a consortium of public, private, and academic institutions. Key delivery partners named in the Department for the Economy release include Belfast Harbour, Digital Catapult / UK Digital Twin Centre, the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC), and the Centre for Secure Information Technologies (CSIT). Key leadership personnel present for the announcement included Dr Iain Percy OBE (CEO, Artemis Technologies), Emma McKenna (Head of Sustainable Manufacturing, AMIC), Joe Devlin (Corporate Development Manager, Energia Group), Mike Dawson (People & Digital Transformation Director, Belfast Harbour), and Dr Katrina Thompson (Director, UK Digital Twin Centre).
Commenting on the collaborative effort required to transition toward low-carbon shipping and port infrastructure, Dr Iain Percy OBE, Chief Executive Officer of Artemis Technologies, stated:
“We’ve always focused on turning innovative technologies into practical solutions that deliver real-world impact.
“Through ZETEC, we’re collaborating with leading partners to demonstrate how electric vessels, charging infrastructure and digital technologies can work together to support the transition to cleaner, more efficient transport.”
Background of the Development
The announcement of the £15 million ZETEC investment builds upon existing regional economic strategies aimed at establishing Northern Ireland as a testbed for clean technology and advanced engineering.
The Local Innovation Partnerships Fund (LIPF) is administered nationally by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the UK’s largest public research and innovation funder operating with a total annual budget of approximately £9 billion. LIPF was established as a £500 million nationwide investment initiative designed to foster local leadership, scale up existing regional strengths, and spur private sector investment across UK regions.
As part of the UK government’s spatial growth targets, £30 million was specifically dedicated to the Belfast-Derry Innovation Corridor. The ZETEC funding represents the second formal project approved under this specific regional allocation.
Prior to ZETEC, Belfast Harbour and Artemis Technologies had established a track record in developing high-speed zero-emission maritime vessels, including zero-emission electric hydrofoil craft built under previous UKRI Strength in Places funding initiatives. By introducing digital twin systems—supervised by the UK Digital Twin Centre and cyber security expertise from CSIT—ZETEC expands this effort from individual vessel development to whole-system grid, charging, and port-wide integration.
Prediction: Impact on Maritime, Technology, and Regional Industry Stakeholders
The launch of ZETEC at Belfast Harbour is expected to affect local industry, technology suppliers, and transport operators across several key operational areas:
- De-risking Commercial Adoption for Vessel and Port Operators: By providing a controlled, operational harbour environment to test high-power marine chargers alongside electric and autonomous vessels, port operators and shipping lines will gain validated empirical data regarding system performance and charging loads. This live operational evidence is anticipated to reduce financial and technical risks for commercial transport providers considering fleets electrification.
- Growth Opportunities for Advanced Manufacturing and Tech Supply Chains: Regional technology providers, local suppliers, and research institutions involved in advanced manufacturing, cyber security, and data analytics—such as AMIC and CSIT—stand to benefit from direct involvement in developing scalable digital twin standards and infrastructure components.
- Potential Regional Economic Growth and High-Skill Job Creation: In line with the objectives of the Local Innovation Partnerships Fund, successful deployment of integrated zero-emission port infrastructure may attract secondary private investment into the Belfast-Derry corridor. This could strengthen Northern Ireland’s market position in specialized green maritime manufacturing, expanding high-skilled engineering and technical employment in the region.
