The decarbonization of cruise activity at the Port of Tarragona gains momentum with the commencement of works for the electrification of the Balears Wharf and new tenders for the Onshore Power Supply (OPS) system. Currently, the construction of an electricity distribution and control center is underway. Furthermore, during August, works will begin on a transformer station in the ZAL, which will centralize and distribute energy from the general grid to the OPS system.
In parallel, three major projects are being tendered to deploy 6.5 km of terrestrial electrical network and 640 meters of submarine electrical network. The latter will connect the Andalusia and Catalunya wharves through tunnel drilling. The total investment for the electrification of the Balears Wharf amounts to 22 million euros, of which approximately 6.6 million have European funding (CEF-T).
The construction of the distribution and control center, awarded to Istem SLU for 184,206.7 euros (VAT included), will receive energy from the transformer station and protect the OPS system. The new medium-voltage transformer station in the ZAL, awarded to Cobra Instalaciones y Servicios S.A. for 748,609.1 euros (VAT included), will centralize energy from the general grid. Works for the latter begin this August and have an execution period of 5 months.
The ongoing tenders include the connection of the general grid to the internal network (3,180 meters of electrical line between the Tarragona Electrical Substation and the new ZAL transformer center), with a budget of 1,944,000 euros and 21 months of execution. The installation of terrestrial underground lines (3,395 meters) from the ZAL to the OPS system is also being tendered, crossing the port area, with an investment of 2,277,862.58 euros and a 9-month execution period.
The most complex tender is the submarine interconnection between the Andalusia and Catalunya wharves, involving an 844-meter horizontal directional drilling. This project, budgeted at 9,242,282.29 euros and with a duration of 13 months, will house a medium-voltage line and provide space for future expansions.
Once operational, the OPS system will allow cruise ships to connect to the terrestrial electrical grid, drastically reducing greenhouse gas emissions, atmospheric pollutants, and noise. The project anticipates the deadlines set by the FuelEU Maritime regulation and contributes to European climate neutrality objectives.
The project has received 6,594,600 euros in funding from the European Union's CEF-T mechanism, thanks to its score of 22.5 points. This initiative is part of Port Tarragona's #EcoPort2030 strategy to advance towards climate neutrality.
