Nidec ASI was awarded two turnkey projects for electrification of the quays (cold ironing) of the passenger ports of Genoa and Savona.
As far as Genoa is concerned, the Western Ligurian Sea Port Authority has assigned the executive design and works to the Temporary Joint Venture (TJV) of which Nidec ASI is the leading company, and in which Ceisis, and the Molfino & Longo civil engineering firm are consortium partners.
For Genoa, the order was acquired in June and the design phase has already started, while the order for the contract relating to the port of Savona was signed in September and it is estimated that both projects will be completed in around 2-3 years.
Thanks to the innovative electric power supply systems for ships developed by Nidec ASI in Genoa and Savona, it will be possible to reduce emissions and noise pollution with positive impacts on inhabitants and tourists in the areas bordering the two ports, which are both located inside the cities, while at the same time having minimal impact on the operation of the ports.
In Genoa, the project envisages six berths which will allow the cruise ships and ferries docked at the port to switch off their on-board generators, connecting to the electricity grid to meet their operational needs.
The two orders comply with the necessity of following European Union directives which, since 2003, encourage ports to adopt quays electrification systems (shore-to-ship) to reduce polluting emissions of vessels in the port, while maintaining heating and air conditioning running, as well as the necessary vessel auxiliary systems. By 2025 this recommendation will become binding for all European ports.
The planned investments for modernizing the ports of Genoa and Savona are co-financed by the EIB (European Investment Bank) for a total of projects equal to €789 million (approximately 300 covered by the EIB loan) and include various interventions such as moving the breakwater in the capital port, access to the railway terminals, cold ironing (electrification of the quays), restructuring the port moorings and IT security.
These ambitious projects confirm our leadership in the development of shore-to-ship systems in Europe and in Italy. The two initiatives where we are protagonists represent a fundamental step in the process aimed at reducing the environmental impact of port activities, a central theme for promoting a sustainable development model in Italy and in Europe and that we trust will kick off many other similar projects for Italian ports, after the Ligurian ones, which have led the way
said Dominique Llonch, CEO of Nidec ASI.
