By
Alex Smith |
Haropa Port has begun work on the installation of shore power infrastructure at Le Havre Cruise Terminal, with the start of the construction attended by project stakeholders.
The project will add five power outlets to the terminal, capable of providing up to 13 megawatts each and up to 30 megawatts simultaneously across all three quays. The port estimates that supplying electricity to ships at berth will cut its carbon dioxide emissions by between 15,000 and 20,000 tonnes each year.
“Haropa Port is giving a new dimension to its ambitious environmental goals by starting work on electrical grid connections for cruise ships on their dedicated quays,” said Stéphane Raison, CEO of Haropa Port. “This is an innovation that will allow cruise vessels to connect to a source of electrical power during their calls at Le Havre. Haropa Port is proud to be among the first European ports to be able to offer this service to cruise ships, and it represents major progress in the decarbonisation of port activities.”
Hangar 13 on Florida Point will be modified to provide an available area of 1,200 square metres to accommodate distribution equipment and conversion systems to adapt the network operated by electricity supplier Enedis to the specific needs of ships. An underground cable network will be laid, connecting to carriages fitted with articulated arms that will take the five 15-kilogram power outlets to the ships, wherever they are berthed on the three quays.
The start of construction comes after work to extend the public grid carried out by Enedis. This required the creation of a three-kilometre underground network comprising three 20 kilovolt cables and the installation of an additional 40 megavolt amp extra high voltage/high voltage transformer at the distribution substation for increased capacity.
The electrification of Pierre Callet quay will be operational as early as 2025. The Roger Meunier and Joannès Couvert quays will provide the facilities by the end of 2025 and early in 2026, respectively. An investment of €32 million ($34.2 million) has been earmarked for the project, including government support of €13.6 million ($14.6 million) under the ‘France Relance’ economic stimulus plan and €900,000 ($963,000) from the coal and steel research fund.