Construction starts on Scotland’s largest commercial shore power system

The Port of Aberdeen has broken ground on Scotland’s largest commercial shore power system which will help the port cut vessel emissions.

The shore power system is part of a £4 million (about $5.1 million) project designed to supply clean electricity to vessels at seven berths.

Scheduled to deliver its first power in March 2025, the ‘Shore Power in Operation’ demonstrator project is one of the first of its kind in the UK and was awarded match funding as part of the Department for Transport’s (DfT) Zero Emissions Vessels and Infrastructure (ZEVI) competition.

“We are delighted to be breaking ground on this project, which is pivotal on our journey to net zero by 2040. This is a great example of public and private partnership to drive forward advances in delivering green infrastructure for ports,” Bob Sanguinetti, CEO of Port of Aberdeen, commented.

The shore power system, also known as ‘cold-ironing’, is being installed by PowerCon. The installation includes connecting the modular shore power system to the grid, as well as establishing quayside connection points via mobile cable reels.

Vessels will receive clean, grid-powered electricity under the port’s renewable energy tariff while berthed at Albert Quay and Means Quay in the port’s North Harbour. This allows vessels to shut off their main and auxiliary engines while at berth and reduce their carbon emissions by more than 80% compared to marine gas oil (MGO) usage, and significantly lower particulates, nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulphur oxides (SOx), and noise.

“Decarbonising shipping is crucial to our plans of creating more sustainable jobs and a cleaner environment,” Mike Kane, Maritime Minister, said.

“Today’s announcement marks a significant step forward in achieving this, putting the UK at the forefront of sustainable port technology and anchoring its position as a global leader in tackling climate change.”

The initiative is being delivered in partnership with a consortium of technology and innovation centers, engineering specialists, vessel owners and operators, a university and research center, as well as public sector bodies. The project will evaluate both land-side and vessel-side power infrastructure construction and performance, along with a commercial analysis to assess the financial and socio-economic benefits for the port and its stakeholders.

Building on prior funding for a feasibility study, this project has outlined the system design for demonstration-scale shore power facilities. Additionally, the partners will analyze the broader impact of transitioning to greener power within the port.

“Aberdeen is at the forefront of renewable and sustainable energy initiatives. We hope this project will provide substantial commercial and environmental benefits for the port, its surrounding wildlife, and the local community,” Peter Selway, Shore Power Specialist, PowerCon, pointed out.

The Port of Aberdeen is investing up to £55 million over 10 years to become the UK’s first net zero port by 2040. It is notably the only UK port to be involved in three of the ten projects supported by the Department for Transport’s ZEVI competition.

Two areas of the port’s North Harbour, Albert Quay West and Commercial Quay West, are already benefiting from shore power facilities, supporting operational activities for our renewable energy customers and towage providers.

In addition to the ‘Shore Power in Operation’ project, this technology is being installed on Regent Quay as part of Bibby Marine’s electric service operation vessel ZEVI project. Additionally, work is underway to install shore power infrastructure for Serco NorthLink’s passenger ferries, funded by a substantial seven-figure investment from Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited.

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