The Port of Leith in Scotland has become the first large mainland commercial port in Scotland to provide shore power capability for vessels, enabling the port to reduce its own carbon footprint and also the carbon footprint of its customers.
The first vessel to make use of the newly installed system at the Imperial Dock is the Victoria 1, a vessel which was provided by the Scottish government to house Ukrainian refugees. Utilizing the shore power connection allows the ship to switch off its polluting fossil fuel generators when at the dock, with non-fossil fuel-generated electricity provided by Forth Ports.
The port’s electrical network has been extended and integrated to work with the Victoria 1’s systems via a PSW Power & Automation shore power transformer. A similar system will go live later this month to enable offshore construction vessels to use shore power at the port’s Harbour Berth.
At present, the Port of Leith is undergoing a major transformation to create the largest renewable hub in Scotland. The transformation includes the construction of a new deep-water outer berth which will also benefit from shore power connection.
“As a business we are committed to reducing the emissions from our operations and we are encouraging shipping to do the same,” commented David Webster, director of energy at Forth Ports. “This major civil engineering project to introduce shore power in Leith is a significant milestone for our business in Scotland and we are pleased that the Victoria 1 is now powered by mains electricity. We look forward to offering shore power to our other vessels visiting the port in 2023.”
“Scotland has legislated for some of the world’s most ambitious climate change targets, and we will be a net zero nation by 2045,” added Neil Gray, Minister for Refugees from Ukraine. “This is a great example of business taking action that will benefit us all. We’re grateful for the work undertaken by Forth Ports to make this happen. The MS Victoria is providing safe accommodation for displaced people from Ukraine and it’s an added bonus that it is now powered by mains electricity.”