Greater Victoria Harbour Authority (GVHA) Board of Directors recently announced that will proceed with the next stage of the shore power project for the Victoria Cruise Terminal at The Breakwater District.
In fact, the “Ship Emission Mitigation Technology Assessment and Business Case” created by consulting firm Moffat & Nichol indicates that a reduction of more than 46% of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and criteria air contaminants (CACs) is achievable with the installation of shore power at two berths at Pier B, which welcomes 75% of all cruise ship calls during a season.
As informed, the reduction of GHG emissions and CACs is equivalent to 1,394 cars on the road per year.
The cost for the proposed solution is between $23.3 million and $24.8 million. In contrast, the 2019 gross revenues for GVHA, a not-for-profit organization, were $16.3 million.
However, following the coronavirus pandemic along with the suspension of cruise worldwide, and remaining uncertainty about resumption of cruise in Canada and the financial impact to GVHA the project cannot proceed until a stabilization of the cruise industry is achieved and funding sources are determined.
Despite the devastating impact of COVID-19 on the economic strength of GVHA, we know the tourism industry and cruise sector will recover over time. It is our intention that, with the support of the Board of Directors for this path forward, GVHA can pursue shore power in a timeline that dovetails with the global restart and rebuilding of tourism.
…. said Dave Cowen, Chair of the Board of Directors for GVHA.
As a component of the shore power project, GVHA staff will develop an organization-wide electrification strategy, aligned with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and objectives set out by the City of Victoria, which incorporates charging, renewable energy, and energy savings.
