The Port of Aberdeen has secured funding from the UK Government for a multi-million-pound project aimed at creating Scotland's first large-scale landside and vessel-side shore power system. This innovative project, known as 'Shore Power in Operation,' will significantly reduce vessel emissions at the port's berths, cutting them by over 80% compared to using marine fuel. It is expected to save more than 60,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent over the next two decades.

One of the key benefits of this project is that it will pave the way for the implementation of green shore power across the North Harbour area of the port. This broader deployment could potentially reduce the port's total emissions by 78%, equivalent to an annual reduction of 34,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent.

The 'Shore Power in Operation' project is part of the Zero Emissions Vessels and Infrastructure competition (ZEVI), funded by the UK Government and delivered in partnership with Innovate UK. This initiative was launched in February 2023 and allocated over £80 million to ten flagship projects involving 52 organizations across the UK. These projects aim to demonstrate real-world research and development in clean maritime solutions and will take place in various locations from the Orkney Isles to the southwest of England.

The Port of Aberdeen is leading a consortium that includes Connected Places Catapult, DOF Subsea, Tidewater Marine UK Ltd, OSM Offshore, and The University of Manchester’s Tyndall Centre to deliver the 'Shore Power in Operation' project.

Shore power is a well-tested technology that allows vessels to connect to an onshore power supply while at berth, reducing the need for onboard generators and thus cutting emissions. The Port of Aberdeen sees this technology as a vital step towards its goal of becoming the UK's first net-zero port by 2040.

Bob Sanguinetti, Chief Executive of the Port of Aberdeen, emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships in decarbonizing the maritime industry and expressed the port's commitment to innovation and collaboration in achieving its ambitious environmental goals.

In addition to the 'Shore Power in Operation' project, the Port of Aberdeen is also participating in two other ZEVI projects focused on zero-emission vessels and alternative fuels, further contributing to its efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of maritime activities in the region.