The switch from diesel generators should result in substantial improvement of air quality for residents of Rozenburg and Maassluis, says Rotterdam Port Authority
The initiative follows a MoU signed by the Port of Rotterdam Authority (HbR), Heerema Marine Contractors and Eneco in July 2018.
Henceforth Heerema will provide its crane vessels with clean energy while they are in the port. By switching off the diesel generators, total emissions will be reduced by the equivalent of the annual emissions of around 5,000 diesel cars.
Heerema’s SLEIPNIR and THIALF are the largest crane vessels in the world. They are regularly moored in the Calandkanaal for maintenance or to prepare for projects at sea.
Eneco will supply power from the wind farm on Landtong Rozenburg. Heerema’s crane vessels are often moored in the Calandkanaal in Rotterdam. The use of clean energy reduces noise and air pollution, significantly reduces CO2 emissions and improves the quality of life in Rozenburg and Maassluis.
To supply the power, an "e-house" measuring 16m x 9m will be built on Landtong Rozenburg together with several transformers. Eneco and HbR have set themselves the goal of providing vessels, in addition to those of Heerema, with shore power at other locations in the vicinity.
To get the project off the ground, the Municipality of Rotterdam has reserved a subsidy of €2M in its 2020 budget, provided that the e-house on Landtong Rozenburg is properly integrated into its surroundings in consultation with local residents.
It is not very common internationally for these types of large vessels to be connected to shore power, but "what makes the project unique is the direct supply of wind turbine power to these nearby seagoing vessels," says a joint statement from Eneco and HbR, which are respectively 80% and 20% stakeholders in aa new company, Rotterdam Shore Power BV.
Source: WorldCargo News