Kenya’s Port of Mombasa considers shore power

The Port of Mombasa has commissioned a study on solar photovoltaic (PV) plants that can produce electricity to power ships while at berth and reduce emissions.

PHOTO: A cargo ship docked at the Port of Mombasa. Getty Images

Norwegian energy and marine consultancy firm ABL Group has conducted a study into a 5-10 megawatt peak (MWp) solar plant that can generate renewable energy-based shore power for Mombasa in Kenya. The study covered construction costs, energy consumption by vessels entering Mombasa and the port's wider energy demand.

“The study found that significant reduction in the local burning of heavy fuel oils can be secured from the use of cold ironing (shore power), resulting in an improvement to local air quality,” ABL Group’s energy storage lead Aimee Besant says.

The project follows a proposal to introduce the Kenyan Ports Authority "Green Ports Policy", which would require all vessels in the port to turn off onboard generators and use shore power.

A separated study conducted in 2021 showed that 25% of vessel emissions are generated when they are stationed at port, and that shore power can significantly reduce these emissions, Besant says.

She adds that there is great opportunity for other ports to explore renewable shore power, which can be combined with lithium batteries or hydrogen for energy storage.

By Shilpa Sharma

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