In its latest effort to reduce emissions and speed
decarbonization across all sectors of the U.K., the Johnson government is
setting its sights on supporting the use of shore power at the country’s major
ports. The government is launching a new program to explore the development of
cold ironing capabilities saying that shore power will be vital to
decarbonizing the maritime sector and improving air quality for local
communities.
Maritime Minister Robert Courts is launching the new program
to explore the rollout of emissions-cutting shore power at UK ports as a means
to accelerate the UK’s ambitions to deliver a greener, more sustainable future
for the shipping industry. Launching a “call for evidence” research initiative
on shore power during his keynote speech at the annual UK Chamber of Shipping
event, the Maritime Minister outlined how, as well as vital environmental
benefits, stimulating the innovation of new green technologies will continue
the revival of the UK’s shipbuilding industry, bringing private investment,
creating jobs and revitalizing coastal communities.
“Shore power will end the outdated practice of ships keeping
their engines running while anchored in port, reducing the poisonous fumes
entering the air and ensuring we meet our net zero 2050 goals,” said Courts.
While shore power is a well-accepted technology that is
gaining new momentum in Europe as ports seek tools to address reducing
emissions, it is not without its challenges. The British Ports Association
recently discussed the topic saying, “But where’s that power coming from?
Electrification is going to be key to so much of the decarbonization work
required in our ports, but it’s not going to be as simple as installing a few
solar panels or wind turbines and thinking that will provide the answer. There
are costs to consider and implications of infrastructure that need careful
consideration. We need to be mindful that this will have a significant impact
on electricity networks and will require a comprehensive energy infrastructure
strategy to adopt sustainable technologies.”
The BPA told a story anecdotally that at least one port that
was at the point of buying a fleet of electric vehicles, only to discover at
the last minute they didn’t have access to enough electricity to charge them,
forcing them to revert to diesel equipment instead.
Responding to the announcement from the Maritime Minister,
Mark Simmonds, Director of Policy and External Affairs for the British Ports
Association, said “This call for evidence is a step forward and will help us
all better understand the current barriers to delivering more shore power to
ships.”
Between now and late April, the government is inviting views
on different aspects of supporting the deployment of shore power and the
provision of shoreside electrical power to a docked vessel while its engines
are shut down in the UK. They are asking for input on the cost of shore power,
benefits including the potential of emission reduction and the scale of vessel
emissions at berth as well as the options to enable the rollout of this
technology.
Commenting on the plan, Tim Morris, CEO at the UK Major
Ports Group, the trade association representing larger commercial ports in the
U.K. said, “Shore power has the potential to play a positive part in the future
of zero emission maritime, although it is an area that currently faces some
significant challenges. The call for evidence is, therefore, an important step
in finding the right, viable ways that industry, government, and networks can
work together to support the wider deployment of shore power where it is an
appropriate solution.”
The government will accept comments till April 25 and then
use the information to develop a policy for the future of shore power in the
U.K.