Scotland’s port of Aberdeen has begun work on a GBP4 million (USD5.1 million) shore power system that will supply clean electricity to vessels at seven berths.
PowerCon is installing the modular shore power system to the grid, which will establish quayside connection points via mobile cable reels. Funding for the project was awarded as part of the Department for Transport’s Zero Emissions Vessels and Infrastructure (ZEVI) competition.
Bob Sanguinetti, port of Aberdeen ceo, said: “We are delighted to be breaking ground on this project, which is pivotal on our journey to net zero by 2040. This is a great example of public and private partnership to drive forward advances in delivering green infrastructure for ports.”
Vessels will receive grid-powered electricity under the port’s renewable energy tariff while berthed at Albert Quay and Means Quay in the port’s North Harbour. The system allows vessels to shut off their main and auxiliary engines while at berth and reduce their carbon emissions by more than 80 percent compared to marine gas oil (MGO) usage, and lower particulates, nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulphur oxides (SOx) and noise.
The port of Aberdeen is investing up to GBP55 million (USD 70.3 million) over 10 years to become a net-zero port by 2040. Two areas of the port’s North Harbour, Albert Quay West and Commercial Quay West, are currently using shore power facilities and supporting operation activities.
In April, the proposed South Harbour upgrade project progressed to the second stage of the Scottish Offshore Wind Energy Council’s (SOWEC) Strategic Investment Model (SIM).
