OPS energy system in the Port of Vigo

Project Manager

The project is led by the Port Authority of Vigo, with the collaboration of Iberdrola. In addition, it receives support from the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, through the Sustainable and Digital Transport Support Programme, which is part of the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan. This plan is funded by the European Union‘s Next Generation funds.

Project Description

The Port Authority of Vigo, in collaboration with Iberdrola, is developing an OPS (Onshore Power Supply) energy system at the car terminal of the Port of Vigo. This system, also known as “cold ironing”, allows Ro-Ro vessels to connect to the onshore power grid during their stay in port. This allows its auxiliary engines, which are typically used to operate systems such as transfer pumps, refrigeration systems, lighting or emergency equipment, to remain switched off for as long as the vessel is berthed, whether to load or unload goods or passengers.

This leads to a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, noise and vibrations during port operations.

It should be noted that at those times when ships equipped with electrical technology are not in the port, or when there is a surplus of energy, the electricity generated by solar panels that is not used will be destined to other users and customers in the port area. This will make it possible to provide clean energy and explore self-consumption options as a group.

The OPS station will be equipped with a connection system to the ship, consisting of a mobile crane mounted on an electric vehicle. This innovation will allow the cable to be connected to the boat quickly and safely.

The OPS station is scheduled to be operational in 2025, an important step in the port’s Blue Growth strategy launched in 2016.

Objectives of the project

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) aims to minimize maritime emissions in order to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. As part of the European Commission’s “Fit for 55” initiative, it seeks to encourage the use of electricity in ports and, in this context, the Port of Vigo will install the OPS system to provide renewable energy to docked ships, aligning with the objectives of this initiative.

Therefore, the main objective of the OPS project in the Port of Vigo is to supply, from renewable energy, the electrical demands of berthed ships, significantly reducing the carbon footprint generated in port operations, as well as greenhouse gas emissions, noise and the use of fossil fuels.