Issue 15

HOT SEAT: 

Interview with Ana Arévalo, Head of Shorepower Department, Port of Barcelona

The First Container Vessel Connected to OPS in Barcelona

• We are interviewing you following the recent news about the first connection to the electricity of a container vessel in the Mediterranean last month in Barcelona. Can you tell us how important is this project for the Port and the city of Barcelona?

This project is extremely significant both for the Port of Barcelona and for the city as a whole. It marks a major step forward in our efforts to reduce emissions and improve air quality, which is a priority for both the port and the local community. By enabling container ships to connect to the electrical grid while docked, we significantly reduce their reliance on diesel engines, which in turn lowers CO2 emissions, NOx, and particulate matter in the surrounding area. For a port this transition is crucial for improving environmental sustainability. It also positions Barcelona as a leader in adopting green technologies in the Mediterranean region. And what it is more important is that this project is the FIRST milestone within Nexigen plan.

• Now you are working to extend the Onshore Power Supply (OPS) to ferries and cruise ships. How will you be able to smanage to supply all the electricity needed for the biggest cruise ships in the world that call at your port? This has to be a very big challenge.

It is indeed a significant challenge to meet the energy demands of the world’s largest cruise ships, but we are addressing this by constructing a dedicated substation and developing a private electrical grid with an initial capacity of 80 MW, supplied by REDEIA (the transport utility in Sapin) . This infrastructure will allow us to handle the high energy needs of these ships, which are comparable to those of small towns. By creating this robust network, we will be able to provide sufficient and stable power to the vessels while ensuring the energy supplied is renewable and sustainable. Our strategy includes close coordination with energy provider and smart energy management systems to optimize the supply and distribution of power. This project not only addresses the immediate needs of the port but also prepares us for future demands as we continue expanding our capacity for OPS connections.

• Do you think OPS is going to be financially sustainable in the future or will it always require public funding support? 

I believe OPS has the potential to be financially sustainable in the future, but it will depend on several factors. Initially, public funding is essential to support the necessary infrastructure investments, as the upfront costs are significant. However, as more ships and ports adopt OPS, the operational costs will decrease due to economies of scale. Additionally, with stricter environmental regulations coming into force, shipping companies will increasingly seek out ports with OPS to avoid the costs associated with running engines while at berth. Over time, this shift could create a market where OPS is not only environmentally sustainable but also economically viable, especially as the cost of renewable energy continues to drop. That said, long-term viability may still require a mix of public and private investment, particularly in the early stages of adoption to create the inercia.

• We understand you also have OPS for mega yachts. How different are these OPS connections to the one recently developed for containers? 

While the underlying technology is similar, the OPS for mega yachts differs in terms of scale and specific requirements. Mega yachts generally have lower energy demands than container vessels or cruise ships, so the power capacity required is much less. Additionally, the connections for yachts tend to be more flexible and tailored to the individual vessels, as their electrical setups can vary widely. For container vessels, on the other hand, the OPS needs to be designed to handle high energy loads and ensure seamless integration with the ship’s existing power systems. In both cases, the goal is to reduce emissions while docked, but the technical specifications and implementation processes differ based on the type of vessel and its energy needs.Add ti this one of the main differences is the frequency converter that is required in case of containers vessels and this means a more complex technical project.