By
Alex Smith |
Port Everglades has completed a study assessing the feasibility of adding shore power to the port’s eight cruise terminals.
Moffatt & Nichol, a global infrastructure advisory firm, performed the study in cooperation with Florida Power & Light (FPL), Carnival Corporation, Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean Group. The analysis assessed the capacity of the existing electrical grid and identified the necessary infrastructure upgrades required to deliver shore power to the full range of cruise ships calling at Port Everglades.
The recommended plan can deliver up to 16 megawatts of electricity simultaneously to each of the eight terminals in accordance with industry standards. Full implementation of the initiative is projected to eliminate 11,366 tonnes of carbon dioxide while reducing emissions of nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide by 75 per cent and 51 per cent respectively. The electricity used to supply ships with power will be generated by FPL using a variety of energy sources, including natural gas, nuclear, solar and wind.
“Shore power is a ‘shocking’ project, because we have been exploring the possibilities of electrification since 2009 when we built Terminal 18 to homeport the largest cruise ships in the world,” said Jonathan Daniels, CEO and port director at Port Everglades. “This technology speaks to our core values of strength, resiliency and sustainability. We are ready to harness this alternative for the good of our partners and our community.”
The estimated cost for the project is approximately $20 million per cruise terminal, for a total cost of $160 million. It is expected to be financed through federal and state grant funds, contributions from FPL, the participating cruise lines and the county. Implementation will occur in phases, with the earliest construction to occur in mid-2024 and all phases to be completed by the end of 2027.