Aberdeen Harbour has received more than £400k from the UK‘s Department for Transport to fund a joint demonstration project aimed at providing shore power within the existing North Harbour.
The partnership with Connected Places Catapult will act as a blueprint for other UK ports to introduce the sustainable fuel alternative for vessels berthed alongside.
The grant was part of the UK Government’s £20m Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition which was introduced to drive innovation for clean maritime and shipping projects.
Bob Sanguinetti, chief executive of Aberdeen Harbour Board, said: “This funding will be critical as we work with Connected Places Catapult to undertake a Feasibility Study for a demonstration project to provide green shore power in our existing port.
“Our extensive research and data show that 70% of CO2 emissions in the port comes from vessels berthed alongside the quays. Ultimately, this demonstration project could reduce the port’s emissions by up to 50%.
“Shore power to avoid vessel emissions at berth is an established technology, but significant technical differences exist within the appropriate physical infrastructure and system specifications. With this feasibility study and demonstration project, we will be looking at small to medium vessels, such as platform supply vessels and offshore service vessels, which regularly visit our busy port.”
Connected Places Catapult will support Aberdeen Harbour by connecting with other UK port regions and providing a place-centred blueprint of the future green port that can be utilised by other ports across the country.
Connected Places Catapult connects businesses and public sector leaders to research, helping to develop, implement and commercialise the latest technology and innovation for existing markets, as well as create demand and growth new markets in the UK and globally.
Paul Wilson, chief business officer at Connected Places Catapult said, “The UK is a maritime nation, and our ports and coastal communities are at the heart of that ecosystem. Connected Places Catapult is pleased to be working with Aberdeen Harbour to establish a green port blueprint that delivers impact for the port and the region, building on the already excellent initiatives in Aberdeen to create a greener, re-energised future for coastal communities across the UK.”
Mr Sanguinetti continued: “This demonstrator project contributes to our three-strand established Green Port Strategy, and we believe it will be a blueprint for the implementation of shore power which can be replicated in other UK ports.
“We are working closely with our partners and port users on innovative solutions to drive down emissions at Aberdeen Harbour, and with our multi-million investments in port infrastructure, Aberdeen Harbour can become the green port of the future.”