The Greater Victoria Harbor Authority received $9 million from the British Columbia government to install infrastructure at Ogden Point that will allow cruise ships to run on clean hydroelectric power and shut down their engines.
Shore power will be installed at two berths, allowing multiple ships to access power at the port.
“It’s really a win-win for the environment and is delivering benefits for our oceans and marine environment, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality,” Transport and Infrastructure Minister Rob Fleming said. Great strides have been made in that regard, but you do generate greenhouse gas emissions when docked. Most of these emissions are generated while in port.”
Fleming announced the funding at Ogden Point on Wednesday (April 5) and said the shore power infrastructure would cut greenhouse gas emissions by nearly half.
The Greater Victoria Harbor Authority is working with Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations, BC Hydro, the City of Victoria and the cruise line to design and install this new infrastructure.
“An initiative of this scope is complex and requires extensive collaboration with many partners,” said Robert Lewis Manning, chief executive of the Greater Victoria Port Authority. “The shore power scheme is one of several important initiatives for the port that will reduce emissions and impacts and support the long-term goals of the decarbonisation and sustainable operations framework.”
The transportation sector is responsible for 40 percent of BC’s greenhouse gas emissions.
“We appreciate the province’s investment in our city’s visitor industry,” said Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto. “Shore Power is an important step towards sustainable tourism that supports our local economies and prioritizes the health and wellbeing of our residents, communities and environment.”
The Greater Victoria Port Authority believes 320 cruise ships and about 850,000 passengers will call at Ogden Point this year.
“Projects like this will help foster a strong economy and keep our communities vibrant,” Fleming said.
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Cruise Ship Greenhouse Gas Emissions Victoria
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