Shore power allows ships to turn off their engines and connect to the local power grid when in port. It is anticipated that by 2030, 85% of all vessels calling to the Victoria Cruise Terminal will be shore power capable; that number will increase to 95% by 2040
A Ship Emission Mitigation Technology Assessment and Business Case created by consulting firm Moffat & Nichol indicated that a reduction of more than 46% of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and criteria air contaminants (CACs) is achievable with the installation of shore power at two berths at Pier B, which welcomes the majority of all cruise ship calls during a season. The reduction of GHG emissions and CACs would be equivalent to 1,394 cars on the road per year.
In January 2019, we contracted Synergy Enterprises to develop a full-scale emissions inventory for the terminal to help identify where we could make improvements to emissions under our control and jurisdiction. Since 2010:
- CACs have decreased by 41%
- SOx has been reduced by 95%
- Particulate matter has been reduced by 79%
- Cruise ship passenger counts have increased 45% while GHG emissions have only increased 19.1% due to increasingly stringent emission standards
- Cruise emissions account for 96.3% of all emissions at the Victoria Cruise Terminal.
In 2020, we launched an investigation into the viability of investing in shoreside emissions mitigation technologies. The study sought answers to two broad questions. First, in which technologies should GVHA invest? Second, how should a preferred technological approach be funded.?
In December 2020, the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority Board of Directors confirmed that the organization will proceed with the next stage of the project. The next steps in the project will focus on funding opportunities with partners and stakeholders and developing a power upgrade design and installation plan with BC Hydro.