Bilbao renewable port project reaches final

The Port of Bilbao’s Building a Renewable Port Energy Community project has been shortlisted as one of three finalists for the IAPH2026 Sustainability Awards in the Climate and Energy category.

The other shortlisted projects were submitted by the ports of Hamburg and Oslo, placing Bilbao among leading international initiatives focused on accelerating sustainable transformation across the port sector.

The nomination recognises the Port of Bilbao’s strategy to develop a more sustainable, efficient and competitive energy model based on renewable energy generation, energy storage, shore power and smart energy management.

The proposed Renewable Port Energy Community would generate and store energy within the port’s own facilities, with that energy subsequently made available to operators across the port community. The initiative aims to optimise energy resources, progressively reduce emissions linked to port activities and strengthen the resilience of the port’s energy system.

The project forms part of the Port of Bilbao’s broader strategic vision, which identifies energy transition and decarbonisation as key drivers of a more efficient, resilient and competitive port that is increasingly integrated with its surrounding environment.

The IAPH Sustainability Awards, organised by the International Association of Ports and Harbors, recognise initiatives contributing to the transformation of the global port sector and its transition towards more sustainable operating models.

Public voting accounts for 30% of each project’s final score, while the remaining 70% is determined by an international panel of experts. Voting remains open until 2 October through the World Ports Sustainability Program website.

The winning project will be announced on 4 November in London during the World Ports Conference.

The Port of Bilbao Authority has maintained regular membership of IAPH since 1990. The organisation represents ports worldwide and promotes cooperation, knowledge exchange and best practice, with priorities including energy transition, decarbonisation, digitalisation, risk management and international collaboration.