First shore power installed in Belgium

Slated for operation in 2026, the two fixed connections will be used for car carriers and ConRo vessels.

AET has chosen to make this technology available for RoRos and ConRos despite these being exempt from the EU’s obligation to provide shore power for container vessels by 2030. This makes it the first terminal in Belgium to provide a future-proofed installation for seagoing vessels, built beyond current EU regulations.

“Shore power is a very efficient measure to reduce emissions and is essential for our sustainable ambitions as a world port,” said Annick De Ridder, president of the board of directors of Port of Antwerp-Bruges.

AET is Europe’s largest multipurpose terminal and one of 24 terminals of the Grimaldi Group. The installation will see two new connections with a total capacity of 5MW primarily for Grimaldi’s new RoRos.

The project will cost in the region of €25 to €30 million with the Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship agency contributing a grant worth €4 million.

The 100% green electricity will initially be produced by the three wind turbines installed on the terminal site and operated by Wind aan de Stroom. Extra capacity will be produced by solar panels on the terminal’s garage and two extra turbines that are in train.

The project will be run by HOPaS (High voltage Onshore Power as a Service), a technology and service consortium comprising Techelec, Yuso, and Whitewood.