Aberdeen Harbour announced the findings of a feasibility study into providing green shore power within Aberdeen North Harbour and calls for collaboration and funding from the public and private sectors to make it a reality.
The comprehensive study, delivered in partnership with Connected Places Catapult, found that:
- 78% of port emissions in North Harbour are attributed to vessels at berth;
- Green shore power could reduce these emissions by more than 90%, as well as minimising noise and air pollution levels;
- The proposed demonstrator project could provide green shore power in North Harbour within two years;
- Technical assessment and solution comparison has been completed and provides a clear way ahead;
- Agreeing the commercial model and securing funding from the public and private sectors is critical to progressing to the next phase of the demonstrator project.
The study was funded with a grant of more than £400,000 from the UK Government’s £20 million Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition, which was introduced to drive innovation for clean maritime and shipping projects.
It involved extensive stakeholder engagement and data analysis which helped to build a detailed picture of the needs and expectations of shipowners and port users.
Commenting on the result, Bob Sanguinetti, Chief Executive of Aberdeen Harbour Board, noted:
We now need commitment and collaboration as well as investment from the public and private sector to deliver the demonstrator project. The feasibility study has developed a place-centred blueprint of the future green port that can be utilised by other ports across the country
Moreover, Thomas White, Ecosystem Director – Maritime & Ports for Connected Places Catapult, added that a port blueprint has been created that is going to be transferable to other ports and coastal regions.
This aims to build confidence in future decarbonisation solutions across the sector informing next steps and stimulating collaboration in the run up to the recently announced, multi-year extension to the Clean Maritime Demonstrator competition.
Shore power infrastructure is an important step in the decarbonisation of marine operations and aligns closely to bp’s long term decarbonisation ambitions. We are proud to support this project
Luke Hendricksen, Marine Operations Lead, bp, mentioned.
In November 2021, Aberdeen Harbour signed a memorandum of understanding with bp to identify and develop projects that could reduce emissions and lower air and noise pollution from vessels calling to the port, including the supply of a zero or low carbon power supply to all vessels in port, over time.
