Port of San Diego to add more shore power capacity

The Port of San Diego in California is adding more shore power connectivity at its B Street cruise terminal, to further curb greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions around San Diego Bay, San Diego's port authority said.

PHOTO: Onshore power supply (OPS) system at the Port of San Diego. Port of San Diego

The additional shore power capacity will allow vessels with starboard connectivity to access shore power at San Diego port’s B Street Pier’s south berth, port authorities said.

This project marks the third shore power connection at the Port of San Diego, the port authority added. The project is expected to be completed by next year.

For this project, the port authority has “awarded a $676,273 equipment purchase and consulting service agreement contract to Watts Marine LLC,” it further added.

Shore-to-ship power or “cold ironing” is an electrical power supply provided to ships when they are docked at ports. Instead of running the engines onboard to power essential systems while docked at ports, shore power facilities allow ships to connect to the local electrical grid. This helps in the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and particulate matter. It also cuts down on noise pollution in port areas caused by heavy machinery and generators.

To date, the Port of San Diego has invested about $24.7 million into providing onshore power supply (OPS) systems at various cruise and cargo terminals in its port, authorities further added.

By Aparupa Mazumder 

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