Monday, June 29, 2020 - 12:01 by ce-press
To meet more stringent requirements regarding emissions, the Port of Flam has been working on offering locally-produced hydropower to cruiseships while alongside.
An application to state-owned ENOVA, prepared in collaboration with local stakeholders, the cruise industry and the local energy supplier, in April 2020 has now been granted. The goal is to have this ready by July 2022.
The cost of building the onshore power supply (OPS) is estimated to be NKr83 million (€7.6 million), of which ENOVA will pay NKr27 million and the port the balance. This investment includes NKr30 million to install an underwater cable from the hydropower station in Aurland to Flam.
Local energy company Aurland Energiverk AS, the port of Flam, Aurland Municipality and Flam AS will make a contribution to the cable which will also be used to further develop electricity in Flam, for example electrification of buses and RIBs etc. Flam already has electric Future of the Fjord sailing with sistership Legacy of the Fjords due to arrive soon.
The OPS will be 60Hz and can deliver 16MWh. The pier will need to be extended by about 50m which will be an extra investment by the port.
The granting of the application was “big and important news for us,” says Tor Mikkel Tokvam, port director Port of Flam. “This shows that we are ready for a changeover. Now we need to find a balance when it comes to the OPS facility and the opportunities it gives us.
“It now needs to be seen in context with the regulations for the World Heritage Fjords set by the Norwegian Maritime Authority and the Norwegian Parliaments decision to make the world heritage fjords emission free in 2026.
“Now it is important to find a future-oriented strategy that benefits public health and the environment in the world heritage fjords while safeguarding the foundation of creating value locally.
“By establishing OPS, emissions from cruiseships will be reduced by 75% in a few years. At the same time, the project will contribute to greater supply of electricity to Flam. This will create an opportunity to electrify the entire destination across sectors.”
At the same time Haugesund was granted approval for its application with installation expected in 2022. Bergen and Alesund are at an advanced stage in their planning and building of shorepower for cruiseships.
