Decarbonisation of maritime transport is an important part of the European Commission’s ‘Fit for 55‘-package to support the target of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 55 per cent in 2030.

The proposals included in ‘Fit for 55’ for a Regulation of the EP and the Council on the use of renewable and low-carbon fuels in maritime transport (FuelEU Maritime) and on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure (AFIR) lay the foundation for the EU-wide deployment and use of onshore power supply (OPS) in EU ports from 2030 onwards.

Since OPS is a relatively young and cost-intensive technology, there are some challenges for ports regarding the deployment and operation of shore-side electricity (SSE) supply, and its ongoing operation.

In this context, the overall objective of the BREEZE project, ‘Berth Electricity for Zero Emission in Ports‘, is to contribute to the development of an enabling environment that promotes both the installation and use of in-port electricity supply systems (OPS) prior to the entry into force of the corresponding obligation at European level in 2030.

Project activities include the exchange of experiences and best practices among the participating regions, such as round tables, workshops and technical visits, as well as specific studies on the implementation and operation of the OPS. In addition, the partners will jointly develop strategies and proposals to improve current policies and contribute to the formulation of new ones, with a view to preparing ports for compliance with the 2030 requirements.

The cooperation between its nine partners, belonging to eight countries from different regions of Europe, will generate synergies and valuable results that will boost the development of the OPS, facilitating its availability and use before the entry into force of the obligation at EU level, and thus contributing to a significant reduction of carbon emissions and other pollutants during the stay of ships in port.

Fundación Valenciaport will work closely with the Port Authority of Valencia to develop practical solutions and guidance to accelerate the implementation of OPS in all Spanish ports. The project will provide valuable input to support the management of the national strategic framework by offering:

• A comprehensive guide to OPS implementation in Spanish ports, which will include step-by-step actions, best practices and recommendations to overcome current legal, technical and financial barriers.
• A study on national demand to assess energy needs and support the planning of the power transmission grid infrastructure in all ports.

These results will help provide a clearer pathway for action and enable Spanish ports to comply with EU regulations in a timely and efficient manner.