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Antwerp Euroterminal (AET) in Belgium has unveiled plans to install shore power connection facilities for use by ships.
The installation will be operational in 2026. Once completed, it will be the first vessel shore power connection to be established in Belgium.
Two fixed shore power connections for car carriers and Con-Ro vessels will be installed at AET. The two connections will have a 5MW total capacity and will mainly serve the new Ro-Ro vessels entering service with Italian shipowner the Grimaldi Group.
The works will be completed under a project worth at least €25 million (US$27 million). The facilities are designed for future expansion so that additional vessels can be connected.
The Port of Antwerp-Bruges said the shore connections will supply berthed vessels with 100 per cent green electricity that will initially be produced by wind turbines. The need for additional capacity will be compensated by solar panels and additional wind turbines.
The green energy produced will be stored in a large battery pack to optimise the use of the electricity generated.
