Port accessThe works will mean that the OPS system to be deployed to power vessels at berth will use green energy
The aim of the BilbOPS project is to reduce pollutant emission and noise levels from vessels at berth
The Council of Ministers, at the proposal of the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, has given the green light for the 13,045,592.70 euro investment for the engineering project to set up a photovoltaic solar plant to supply electricity to the OPS system of the Port of Bilbao.
These works form part of the BilbOPS project of the Bilbao Port Authority to electrify the docks for onshore power supply, the investment to install the required electrical infrastructure for which was approved by the Council of Ministers on 28 November. The deployment of an OPS system will make it possible for vessels at berth to switch off their auxiliary engines, thereby reducing emission and noise levels.
The power to be supplied to vessels will be of renewable origin, supplied by the distribution company through the port’s electrical installations or generated by the port’s own power plants in the port public domain. The objective of the project approved today is to generate electricity using photovoltaic panels spread over four plants in different areas of the port, with a peak power of 4.25 MWp.
Specifically, the project consists of a fixed-structure crystalline technology photovoltaic solar installation divided into four plants on Port of Bilbao premises in the towns of Zierbena, Santurtzi and Getxo. The panels will be installed on the horizontal surfaces of the crown walls of the Santurtzi and Zierbena breakwaters, as well as on the canopies in the ferry and cruise ship terminal car parks.
This tender is financed by the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF Funds) and the Bilbao Port Authority itself, provision for which is included in the Port Authority’s current investment plan 2024-2028, which in turn forms part of the corresponding Business Plan for 2025.
