Iberdrola España has completed a project to electrify the Pasaia port area by installing an innovative Onshore Power Supply (OPS) system. This technology allows ships docked at the port to plug into the onshore electricity grid while they are berthed, so they can use renewable energy instead of running their own engines.

As a result, the system helps reduce both air pollution and noise levels in and around the port.The new OPS connection has been installed at the Kaputxinos pier in the port of Pasaia in Gipuzkoa. It will mainly serve hybrid Ro-Ro vessels operated by the shipping company UECC, which transport wheeled cargo such as vehicles and account for a significant share of port traffic.

By supplying clean electricity directly from shore, these vessels can shut down their auxiliary engines while docked.Local authorities and project partners have highlighted the environmental benefits of the initiative. According to Izaskun Goñi, president of the Pasaia Port Authority, the infrastructure will significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality in the surrounding area, supporting the goal of turning Pasaia into a more environmentally sustainable port committed to decarbonisation.

Iberdrola España’s representative in the Basque Country, Eduardo Lobato, also noted that electrifying ports is an important step in the energy transition of maritime transport, enabling cleaner, more efficient, and better-managed energy use.The system also brings additional environmental and social benefits. Estimates from the International Maritime Organization suggest that OPS technology can reduce noise levels by up to 16 decibels by eliminating the need for auxiliary engines during loading and unloading operations.

This reduction in noise, along with lower emissions and fewer vibrations, improves living conditions for people living near port areas. It also helps reduce fuel costs for ships and decreases wear and tear on onboard equipment.Overall, the OPS system offers multiple advantages, including lower greenhouse gas emissions, reduced local air pollution, quieter port operations, and improved energy efficiency during ship docking.

The Pasaia project is part of a broader Iberdrola España initiative called “Deployment of Onshore Power Supply (OPS) Technology and Decarbonization of the Electricity Supply in the Ports of Pasaia, Vigo, and Alicante.” This initiative has received support from Spain’s Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility under the Sustainable and Digital Transport Support Programme, which is part of the country’s Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan funded by the European Union’s Next Generation EU funds. The project was awarded a grant of €1.9 million.

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