Norway’s largest cruise port of Bergen to build Europe’s largest onshore power supply facility
“We are building a shore power facility that will supply three cruise vessels with power simultaneously. The aim is for the facility to be ready at the beginning of the cruise season in 2020. Furthermore, with the support of the municipality of Bergen, a more limited facility that will serve one cruise vessel at a time will be ready by 2019” as explained by the Port Director Johnny Breivik, the company said in its press release.
Bergen is Norway’s largest cruise port and the fourth largest in Europe. Throughout 2018 342 cruise vessels will have visited Port of Bergen, which is an increase of about 31 vessels from the previous year. Vessels that dock at Port of Bergen emit large quantities of particles, NOX and CO2, and the motivation for the joint company is to reduce these emissions as soon as possible.
“BKK is the largest renewable energy company in Western Norway and is already facilitating for hydropower, power grids, fibre, district heating and public fast charging points for electric vehicles. Building on this BKK is now establishing a joint company with Port of Bergen as a way of contributing to an emissions free development of the maritime transport industry. This is done by developing and operating shore power facilities that will supply the vessels with clean energy” as said by the Executive Vice President of Innovation and Development at BKK Ingrid von Streng Velken.
A shore power facility that can supply three cruise vessels at the same time is estimated to cost around 120 million NOK. Port of Bergen is applying for funding for about 50 million NOK from Enova, a state owned grant scheme, as investment support. The remaining cost of the investment will be paid for by Port of Bergen and BKK. However over time the industry itself, the owners of the vessels that dock at Port of Bergen, will ultimately pay for the cost of establishing shore power.
“The aim is for all vessels that dock at Port of Bergen to use renewable energy. For this to be a reality one has to make sure that shore power is the preferred alternative by the cruise lines. The cruise lines and the polluting vessels must, over time, be willing to accept the majority of the cost, although Port of Bergen is still reliant on funding from Enova” says Breivik.
“To tackle the issue of pollution we either facilitate for a sustainable cruise industry or the latter has no future in Norwegian waters. There is no valid reason that allows for cruise vessels to pollute our fjords or ports when this can be eliminated through offering shore power” says Breivik.
“Port of Bergen and BKK can together make a real difference and contribute to a rapid transition from fossil fuel to renewable energy within the maritime transport industry. With Port of Bergen’s importance as a cruise destination Bergen is a focal starting point. However it is a clear objective to promote shore power as a standard in all ports” says Velken.
Bergen municipality has adopted an ambition to become fossil-free by 2030. Offering shore power to all vessels by 2020 is part of the Bergen’s Environment Strategy.
In Europe only Hamburg and Kristiansand offer shore power to cruise vessels. A facility is being developed in Kiel. The US on the other hand has invested more in shore power, and as a result of this there are ten ports throughout North-American and Canada that offer shore power.
Port of Bergen is well ahead when it comes to offering shore power to offshore vessels. Four points are built, and by 2020 the number will be 15.
BKK is a leading company in Western Norway in the field of renewable energy and innovative infrastructure. The company’s operation includes production of hydropower and other renewable energy solutions and development and operation of fibre, power and district heating.
Port of Bergen
Port of Bergen is Norway’s second largest port, and Norway’s largest cruise port. The port’s most important objectives are to promote sustainable maritime transport and manage, operate and develop port areas.