Port of San Diego CA plugs into shore power system

California’s Port of San Diego has switched on its new shore power system at the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal. This system will improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by allowing cargo vessels to “plug in” rather than run their diesel engines in port.
Construction on the $4.25 million project began in mid-2013 and was funded by the port’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP). The contractor was NEWest Construction in San Diego. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held recently at the terminal, marking completion of the port’s shore power project.
“The port is proud to be a leader in environmental issues and continues to be a great steward of San Diego Bay,” said Bob Nelson, chairman of the Board of Port Commissioners.
Installation of shore power provides these benefits:
•Reduces greenhouse gas emissions by more than 50% (more than 2,000 metric tons) per year. That’s equivalent to greenhouse gas emissions from about 1,500 cars per year.
•Lowers emissions of nitrogen oxides by about 95%, or 70 tons per year. That’s equivalent to NOx emissions from more than 4,000 cars per year.
Speakers at the ribbon-cutting ceremony also included US Rep Scott Peters, City of San Diego Interim Mayor Todd Gloria, Dole Vice-President Stuart Jablon, and Environmental Health Coalition Executive Director Diane Takvorian.
The new shore power system will allow refrigerated cargo ships—including those from Dole Fresh Fruit—to use electrical power from SDG&E instead of relying on diesel fuel engines while at berth. This will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality around the terminal.
This project fulfils a mandate set forth by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) requiring California ports and terminals to provide shore power to container, passenger, and refrigerated cargo ships.
For more information, access www.portofsandiego.org.