The Port of San Diego’s new shore-power system is now up and running at the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal.
The US$4.25m project will help improve air quality in and around the port and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by allowing refrigerated cargo vessels to “plug in” rather than run their diesel engines while in port – something ports worldwide are now offering.
“By offering shore power, we are not only improving air quality for communities nearby, but we also reduce our impact on the planet,” said Bob Nelson, chairman, Board of Port Commissioners.
With this, the Port of San Diego expects greenhouse gas emissions to be reduced by over 50% (more than 2,000 tonnes) per year and reduced nitrogen oxide emissions by around 95% or 70 tonnes per year.
This project fulfils a mandate set by the California Air resources Board, which requires Californian ports and terminals to provide shore power to container, passenger and refrigerated-cargo ships.
The port is already equipped to provide shore power to cruise ships that berth at both its B Street Pier Cruise Ship Terminal and Broadway Pier.
Construction began in mid-2013 and was funded by the Port’s Capital Improvement Programme (CIP).
