Shore power is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the port by 2,800 tonnes per year
By
Rebecca Gibson |
The Montreal Port Authority (MPA) has opened a new shore power facility at its new cruise terminal, allowing visiting ships to turn off their engines and connect to an electrical power grid while they are docked in port.
The first green initiative of its kind in Quebec, Canada, the shore power project was rolled out in two phases. In 2016, the MPA developed four power supply stations at berths 25, 27, 29 and M2 for vessels that winter at the port.
To provide a sufficiently powerful power supply for cruise ships, Hydro-Québec installed a new 25 kV line to supply the new substation installed at the cruise terminal in 2016. Schneider Electric designed and built the equipment needed to install the electrical substation. These works led to Holland America Line’s Veendam making the first connection in 29 July 2017.
Shore power is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2,800 tonnes per year.
“Working in concert with our various partners and improving air and water quality are among the MPA’s main guidelines for sustainable development,” said Sylvie Vachon, president and CEO of the MPA. “Now completed, this shore power project will result in a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, offsetting virtually all the greenhouse gas emissions for which the MPA is responsible.”
The Canadian government invested C$5 million in the project as part of its Shore Power Technology for Ports Program, while the Government of Quebec contributed C$3 million as part of its initiative to improve marine, air and rail transportation efficiency to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, the MPA contributed C$3 million to the project.
“This investment, which will make it possible to consolidate the Port of Montreal’s position in the international cruise network, demonstrates the Government of Quebec’s commitment to contribute to Quebec’s economic development, in keeping with the principles of sustainable mobility,” said Laurent Lessard, Quebec Minister of Transport, Sustainable Mobility and Transport Electrification. “In addition to optimising the energy efficiency of a marine transportation sector, the investment is major backing for implementing a project that benefits the environment. Efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions under our assistance programme are remarkable, both in terms of the resulting reductions and the introduction of new technologies related to marine transportation.”