The Port of Bilbao has received approval from the Council of Ministers for a €13 million ($13.7 million) investment to establish a photovoltaic solar plant that will supply electricity to the OPS system.
These works form part of the BilbOPS project of the Bilbao Port Authority to electrify the docks for onshore power supply, the investment to install the required electrical infrastructure for which was approved by the Council of Ministers on 28 November.
The deployment of an OPS system will make it possible for vessels at berth to switch off their auxiliary engines, thereby reducing emission and noise levels.
The power supplied to vessels will originate from renewable sources, provided by the distribution company through the port’s electrical installations or generated by the port’s own power plants located within the public domain.
The project’s objective is to generate electricity using photovoltaic panels spread over four plants in different areas of the port, with a peak power of 4.25 megawatt peak (MWp).
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Specifically, the project consists of a fixed-structure crystalline technology photovoltaic solar installation divided into four plants on Port of Bilbao premises in Zierbena, Santurtzi and Getxo.
The panels will be installed on the horizontal surfaces of the crown walls of the Santurtzi and Zierbena breakwaters, as well as on the canopies in the ferry and cruise ship terminal car parks.
This tender is financed by the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF Funds) and the Bilbao Port Authority itself, provision for which is included in the Port Authority’s current investment plan 2024-2028, which forms part of the corresponding Business Plan for 2025.
