Shore power in Rotterdam operational
A partnership of three – Eneco, the Port of Rotterdam Authority and Heerema – has implemented a shore-power project. It allows vessels to switch off their engines in the port and plug into the electricity grid for their energy supply.
The connection, built by Heerema, Eneco and the Port of Rotterdam Authority, will supply the ‘Sleipnir’ and the ‘Thialf’ with sustainable energy generated by wind turbines on the nearby headland or from another renewable sources if required.
The port’s shore power connection currently has a capacity of 20 MW, the energy equivalent of around 15,000 homes. The vessels connected to shore power will cut almost all their emissions and particulate matter, because no more marine gas oil (or LNG in Sleipnir’s case) will be used.
The estimated saving of 15,000 t of CO2, 20 t of particulate matter, 5 t of sulphur and a significant amount of nitrogen is comparable to the annual emissions of 5,000 diesel cars. (sh)