In the 21st century, ports must enhance their competitiveness based, in large part, on sustainability and innovation. The Port Authority of Santa Cruz de Tenerife goes even further being fully aware that the initiatives and projects that it launches must also have a favorable impact on citizens.
That is why Puertos de Tenerife is in the midst of implementing an important package of projects and investments based on this objective and in which the common interest in advancing both environmentally and technologically underlies. Among them, the so-called e-Island Sustainable Electric Mobility Plan stands out, an energy efficiency program that will lead to an annual reduction of carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere of 15 tons per year.
Actions that encompass everything from smart public lighting to electric vehicles, through renewable installations for self-consumption, electricity supply to ships (OPS), and mini-wind installations, give shape to this initiative in full development.
The port organization already offers in the ports of Santa Cruz de TenerifeLa Palma and La Gomera, the latter being the first in the country to provide the service, the possibility for regular traffic vessels to connect to the electricity grid to reduce noise emissions and pollution into the atmosphere.
contamination limit
This action is included as an obligation in the ordinance to limit atmospheric pollution recently agreed by the Ports of Tenerife, which also includes containers with refrigerated cargo that are in terminals with said provision.
In the hands of the shipping companies is the adaptation of the engines of their ships to benefit from the service that is also offered, to merchant ships and platforms, in the outer dock and back dock of the port of Granadilla and to the platforms under repair docked in the East Dock. from the chicharrero port.
Renewable energy
The substitution of energy generated on board by 100% renewable energy generated on land considerably reduces polluting emissions, in addition to eliminating the noise and vibrations produced by the auxiliary engines. This has a positive impact on the environment, also improving the quality of life of the populations near the port.
And it is because of their strategic position, ease of access and interconnection, the ports will be the support points that will allow the massive deployment of the renewable electricity generation park.
In this sense, if important is what has been done, no less remarkable is what is approaching. Specifically for the port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife The Port Authority is working on another six connection points to the electricity grid distributed among the container terminals in the Dársena del Este, three for cruise ships between Muelle Sur and Muelle de Ribera, in Anaga, and one more in the Dársena de Los Llanos whose execution is currently the most advanced.
In total, an investment of more than 22 million euros, of which 16 million will correspond to the connection for cruise ships, an initiative basically consisting of the execution of a 20Mw power line that would allow up to three cruise ships to be connected at the same time, thus also providing coverage to these types of ships.
zero emissions
As established in the Fit for 55 package of measures, approved by the European Commission, in 2030 ninety percent of ships calling at European ports will have to turn off their auxiliary machinery and connect to the shore power grid or use fuels zero emissions.
The president of the Port Authority of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Carlos González, is clear that “the main objective is, through innovation, to adapt our operations to the demand of the port sector and, on the other, to involve it in the innovative dynamics that we will achieve with the participation of port companies and entities».
Innovation dynamics
“Our Port Authority has to play a role as a catalyst for this dynamic of innovation that generates innovative projects and actions that allow new business developments,” explains Carlos González.
Under the name of the Genera Project, the Tenerife Port Authority also develops the assembly of solar and wind energy installations for instant self-consumption, guaranteeing, if necessary, the injection of surplus into the electricity grid. Besides the installation of photovoltaic panels in enclaves such as the Fishermen’s Association and the Fish Market itself, the Muelle de Enlace tunnel already boasts 147 efficient lights with LED technology.
Nearly one million euros involves installing smart public lighting in all ports, an initiative that is in full swing and which basically means considerably reducing the total power consumed by public lighting and its production costs.
two wind turbines
Likewise, the installation of two wind turbines in the ports of El Hierro and La Gomera is planned. With a maximum power of 20Kw, it will cover part of the electricity demand of facilities such as maritime stations, lighting and auxiliary installations. These projects are integrated into the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan and co-financed with the Next Generation EU Funds.
