The Port of Bilbao has taken a significant step toward maritime decarbonisation with the awarding of the second and most extensive phase of its shore power electrification project, valued at nearly €50.1 million. The contract has been secured by a consortium formed by Sampol Ingeniería y Obras, Comsa Instalaciones y Sistemas Industriales, and Montajes Eléctricos San Ignacio.
This investment will enable vessels calling at docks A1, A2, A6, AZ3, and Getxo 2 and 3 to plug into the port’s grid and shut down their diesel-powered auxiliary engines while at berth. By doing so, the port aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions and reduce both noise and vibration levels across its terminals, which serve container, ferry, ro-pax, ro-ro, and cruise ship traffic.
With 30 MW of total capacity planned, the infrastructure overhaul includes three distribution centres, eleven transformation centres, and eleven OPS (Onshore Power Supply) connection points. The system is designed for flexibility, with 20 outlets distributed across the quays to ensure vessels can connect regardless of their berth location. A key technical feature is the installation of a 1.34-kilometre subsea power cable between Santurtzi and the urban cruise terminal in Getxo to ensure sufficient electricity reaches the area, which is far from a main substation.
The second phase is scheduled to complete within 24 months following final project approval, with full commissioning expected in 2027. Funding comes from a combination of Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) contributions and a major loan of €80 million from the European Investment Bank (EIB). A portion of that financing is earmarked for this electrification push.
Part of the power supplied will be sourced from renewable energy, including solar PV panels currently under tender, budgeted at €15.6 million. The broader electrification strategy began with phase one, awarded in December 2023, focusing on Dock A5 with a separate €4.7 million investment. That initial phase is backed by a €3.9 million grant from the Recovery and Resilience Facility, targeting operational readiness by early 2026.
Altogether, the port’s electrification programme represents over €100 million in investment. It’s a core initiative under the Port of Bilbao’s 2023–2026 Strategy Plan and its long-term Energy Transition Plan, which aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
Tags: Port of Bilbao, shore power, maritime decarbonisation, electrification, renewable energy
Excerpt: The #PortofBilbao boosts its #sustainability credentials with a €50M investment in shore power, aiming to cut emissions and noise by enabling vessels to plug into the grid by 2027…
