Shoreside electricity project to cut “over 90 per cent of air pollution” at the Grand Harbour
The project is in line with EU objectives on climate change.
A €49.9 million project has just been revealed by Infrastructure Malta that will “cut over 90 per cent of the air pollution that cruise liners and Ro-Ro ships produce when visiting the Grand Harbour,” the authority said in a statement.
What is being called the Grand Harbour Clean Air Project includes “the development of the electricity infrastructure required for cruise liners, and eventually Ro-Ro vessels, to switch off their gas- or heavy-fuel-oil-fired engines and plug in to shore side electricity to power their onboard systems, including their catering and “hotel” services, whilst they are berthed at port.”
“The first of this two-phased project includes a €37 million investment to provide shore power (also known as cold ironing) on the five main cruise ship quays of the Grand Harbour by end 2023. The second phase will extend the project to another two quays, which are also used by Ro-Ros.”
“By switching off their auxiliary engines, cruise liners visiting Valletta will emit 93% less nitrogen dioxide, 92.6% less particulate matter and 99.6% less sulphur dioxide,” Infrastructure Malta said. According to the NSO, 372 cruise liners visited our islands last year, so this project could help the situation.
The authority also says that this project could most definitely pay off in the long run. “Preliminary studies indicate that through this project, within 20 years Malta will save up to €375 million in costs linked to the measurable consequences of air pollution, such as impacts on health, the natural environment, infrastructure and agriculture. It will also reduce the impact of noise and engine vibrations in the Grand Harbour area.”
Infrastructure Malta have also stated that this project will contribute towards the EU’s objectives with regards to climate change. “By reducing air pollution in the region, the Grand Harbour Clean Air Project will contribute towards EU and national climate change objectives in line with the Paris Agreement, which obliges ports to reduce the carbon footprint of their land-based activities as well as the decarbonisation of shipping activities.”
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