The following is text from news releases issued by Transport Canada:
(MONTREAL and QUEBEC CITY) — Canadian officials have announced new funding for the installation of shore power infrastructure at the Port of Quebec and the Port of Montreal.
Shore power is a highly effective way to reduce marine diesel air emissions. Shore power improves local air quality by enabling ships to shut down their engines and connect to the electrical grid in order to provide necessary power while docked.
At the Port of Quebec, the project will enable the purchase and implementation of shore power infrastructure at the Pointe-à-Carcy terminal. With this project, the total reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions should reach many thousands of tonnes of GHGs annually.
The total cost of the project is $13.5 million (CAD). The government of Canada is providing up to $5 million under its ShorePower Technology for Ports Program. The government of Quebec is providing $5.1 million ($3 million from the Ministry of Transport and $2.1 million from the Ministry of Tourism) and the Quebec Port Authority is providing the remaining $3.4 million.
Two types of systems will be installed at the Port of Montreal with this project. One is a shore power connection for cruise ships at the Alexandra Pier and the other is a four connection shore power system for wintering ships. Total greenhouse gas emission (GHG) reductions resulting from this project are expected to reach 2,800 tonnes annually – 1,300 tonnes from cruise ship connections and 1,500 tonnes from wintering ships.
The total cost of the project is $11 million. The government of Canada is providing up to $5 million under its Shore Power Technology for Ports Program. The government of Quebec is providing $3 million and the Montreal Port Authority is providing the remaining $3 million.
Quick facts
• The Shore Power Technology for Ports Program is part of the government of Canada's ongoing efforts to improve air quality and limit GHG emissions from the Canadian transportation sector.
• This program is financed by the Green Fund, under the portfolio of David Heurtel, minister of Sustainable Development, the Environment and the Fight Against Climate Change. The fund’s revenues are drawn mainly from the carbon market as part of the 2013-20 Action Plan on Climate Change and this fund has a $29.1 million budget until March 31, 2017.
* The government of Quebec estimates that this project will mean a reduction in thousands of tonnes of GHGs per year. Shore power technology for ports, also called marine shore power, is a leading-edge technology that allows ships to plug into the local electrical grid to power the vessel while at port.
* This provides power to ship equipment such as electric pumps, lighting, and water heating, avoiding the use of auxiliary diesel engines which consume fuel, produce GHG and air pollutant emission.
