Construction has officially begun on Scotland’s most ambitious commercial shore power system at the Port of Aberdeen. This groundbreaking £4 million project, initiated on August 8, 2024, aims to deliver clean electricity to vessels at seven berths by March 2025. The initiative marks a significant step toward reducing the maritime industry’s carbon footprint and is a key part of the UK’s drive towards greener port infrastructure.
The “Shore Power in Operation” demonstrator project is among the first of its kind in the UK and has received match funding through the Department for Transport’s (DfT) Zero Emissions Vessels and Infrastructure (ZEVI) competition. This collaboration between public and private sectors exemplifies how partnerships can propel advancements in green infrastructure for ports.
Bob Sanguinetti, CEO of Port of Aberdeen, expressed his excitement about the project, emphasizing its importance in the port’s journey to achieve net zero emissions by 2040. “This is a great example of public and private partnership to drive forward advances in delivering green infrastructure for ports,” Sanguinetti stated, highlighting the collaborative effort behind the initiative.
The shore power system, commonly referred to as “cold-ironing,” is being installed by PowerCon, a leader in shore power technology. The system will connect to the grid and provide vessels with clean, renewable electricity while berthed at Albert Quay and Means Quay in the port’s North Harbour. This allows ships to shut down their engines, cutting carbon emissions by over 80% compared to traditional marine gas oil (MGO) and significantly reducing pollutants like nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides (SOx), and noise.
Maritime Minister Mike Kane praised the initiative, recognizing it as a critical step in decarbonizing the shipping industry and positioning the UK as a leader in sustainable port technology. “Today’s announcement marks a significant step forward in achieving this, putting the UK at the forefront of sustainable port technology and anchoring its position as a global leader in tackling climate change,” Kane remarked.
The project, a collaboration between various technology and innovation centers, engineering specialists, vessel operators, and academic institutions, will evaluate the construction and performance of both land-side and vessel-side power infrastructure. It also includes a commercial analysis to assess the financial and socio-economic benefits for the port and its stakeholders.
Port of Aberdeen’s ongoing commitment to sustainability is further evidenced by its £55 million investment over the next decade to become the UK’s first net zero port by 2040. The port is notably involved in three of the ten projects supported by the ZEVI competition.
In addition to the “Shore Power in Operation” project, similar technology is being deployed on Regent Quay as part of Bibby Marine’s electric Service Operation Vessel ZEVI project. Furthermore, substantial investments are being made to install shore power infrastructure for Serco NorthLink’s passenger ferries, funded by Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited.
