Thursday, July 21, 2022 - 13:16 by ce-press
The Port Authority of Bilbao has been awarded over €14 million from the European Union in order to press ahead with its onshore power project.
Bilbao is seen as a core Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) port, and the project will facilitate a common onshore power supply (OPS) infrastructure across the total port area.
It will include a photovoltaic (solar power) plant and 14 OPS connection points including at the cruise, ferry and container piers.
The project is expected to be completed by 2025, in time for the 2026 cruise season. Cruise manager Gloria Frau commented “We are delighted with this result. We are very grateful for the written support from MSC Cruises, Carnival UK, TUI Cruises and Royal Caribbean, that has helped the funding case.”
This is just one of a number of projects that the port has initiated over recent years. The Bilbao OPS project stands alongside other projects, which include a 20mW wind farm and gas bunkering station, which are already in operation, and a hydrogen and e-fuel plant due to be ready by 2024.
These projects are complementary and provide shipping companies with a range of options and services in terms of alternative fuels for the future.
This puts Bilbao port well at the forefront in meeting the target of a 55% drop in emissions by 2030 set by the EU. And, as we move forward, closer to meeting the EU’s ‘Fit For 55’ targets by cutting its GHG emissions by 40%.
