Siemens to build Europe’s largest shore power connections at port of Kiel

Cruise ships, ferries will be able to obtain shore power at all inner-city terminals as well as the Ostuferhafen of port of Kiel

Port of Kiel has commissioned Siemens AG with the construction of two additional SIHARBOR shore power plants at Kiel’s Ostuferhafen. The construction project with a total investment value of approximately €17 million comprises a 50/60 Hz shore power plant for cruise ships and ferries and a 50 Hz shore power plant for ferries.

The new project will make it possible to generate the electricity ships need while they are in port using renewable energies on shore instead of diesel generators on board. The new shore power connection will be one of the largest installations of its kind in Europe. After completion of the project at the end of 2023, the port of Kiel will be able to supply green power to six ships simultaneously at all of its major passenger, cargo and ferry terminals.

Connecting ships to shore power has enormous economic and environmental impact. Ships save expensive fuel, new business models open up for port operators, and port staff and residents benefit from a significant reduction in noise and pollution,

…explained Markus Mildner, CEO of Siemens eMobility.

As explained, the new shore power plant at Ostuferhafen continues the joint success story between Siemens and PORT OF KIEL: The existing shore power plants at Ostseekai and Schwedenkai as well as at Norwegenkai were also built by Siemens.

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The construction project at Ostuferhafen includes two shore power plants able to supply up to three seagoing vessels simultaneously. The first of the two shore power plants is designed to supply up to two ferry or cruise ships and connects four berths at Ostuferhafen to shore power. It has a capacity of 16 MVA and can supply cruise ships and ferries with a frequency of 50 or 60 Hz and a voltage of 6.6 kV or 11 kV. The second shore power plant with a grid frequency of 50 Hz is designed exclusively for cargo and RoRo vessels and supplies two berths with a voltage of 6.6 kV or 11 kV, up to a maximum capacity of 5 MVA.

The port has long pursued a clear sustainability strategy aimed at becoming carbon neutral by 2030. In addition to its own transition to sustainable energy sources and innovative solutions for climate protection, the port also wants to use its shore power infrastructure to create incentives for shipping companies to save carbon emissions when their vessels are in port.

Shore power is a key part of Port of Kiel’s sustainability effort. Beginning in 2024/25, the port hopes to use its supply infrastructure for six ships to have around 80 percent of all ships plugged in while berthed. In addition to CO2 savings, connecting ships to shore power while they are at berth also results in a significant reduction in noise and pollution.

Shore power is gaining ground with many ports investing in related infrastructure. Recently, the UK Chamber of Shipping urged government to mandate green shore power, with new targets for ports and ships to ensure mainstream adoption by 2030.