Bilbao Port goes electric

With the goal of reducing carbon emissions, Bilbao Port in Spain decided to go electric, allowing vessels to plug in while docked.

Transport and Mobility

Climate Change and Environment

Energy

© Port Authority of Bilbao

With the support of the BilbOPS project, the port is working to electrify its container, ro-ro, ro-pax and cruise docks. Using onshore power supply (OPS), ships will be able to switch off their engines and plug into the port’s onshore electrical grid, thus eliminating emissions during berthing. The project is also looking to create a green energy hub to produce electricity using local renewable resources such as hydrogen, wind, solar and waves. The port aims to be able to cover at least 90 % of a ship’s power demand by 2030.

Keywords

BilbOPS, waterborne transport, CINEA, sustainability, EU-funded, research, shipping, freight, inland waterway, port, alternative fuel, wind, methanol