Spain’s Port of Vigo, Iberdrola España, will implement an innovative Onshore Power Supply (OPS) infrastructure to supply the electrical demands of moored ships with renewable energy, in order to reduce their levels of atmospheric and noise pollution.
Their decision to use OPS comes in light of the targets set by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to reduce emissions in maritime transport as soon as possible and reach net zero emissions by 2050.
In a statement, the the president of the Port Authority of Vigo, Carlos Botana said that shipping companies are highly interested in having this infrastructure, which will reduce their carbon footprint, “making Bouzas the first Ro-Ro Terminal in Spain to have this system, eliminating emissions from ships and noise in the Terminal, which will mean taking another step forward in the Blue Growth strategy that has been leading since 2016”.
According to estimates by the IMO, the use of these emerging technologies can reduce the noise impact produced by ships during loading and unloading operations by up to 16 decibels; therefore, improving the quality of life of residents in the vicinity of the port.
Iberdrola España said that the advantages of this system include savings compared to traditional fuels: a reduction in local emissions emitted into the atmosphere, a reduction in vibrations and noise produced during docking, and less wear and tear on auxiliary engines.
Moreover, the decarbonisation of the energy supply will be greater as Iberdrola España will supply the ships with photovoltaic energy
“Likewise, when the ships adapted to the electrified system are not docked, or there are additional surpluses, the surplus photovoltaic energy will be used to cover other operators and customers in the port environment, supplying green energy, and exploring collective self-consumption modalities, in which the electricity company assumes the initial investment”, explains Borja Cancela, Iberdrola España’s commercial delegate for Galicia and Asturias.
