Toll Group’s adoption of leading Shore Power Technology at the Port of Burnie has been officially commissioned this week following a series of final operational tests and regulatory checks.
Part of Toll’s significant investment to upgrade the wharf and terminal facilities at the port, the project is an Australian first and will see Toll’s recently commissioned flagship vessels – Tasmanian Achiever II and Victorian Reliance II – draw clean power from the state’s green energy grid while docked, limiting the need for diesel generators.
Steven Borg, Executive General Manager Tasmania and Shipping at Toll Group said the new technology and infrastructure made commercial and environmental sense with the switch to grid power expected to see the two vessels’ combined greenhouse gas emissions reduced by more than 5,500 tonnes per year and some 2,000 tonnes of diesel saved.
“While the global pandemic has made bringing this world leading technology to the Port of Burnie slightly more complicated, today is a very exciting moment for us, our customers, partners and Burnie’s community.
“Investment in our key infrastructure, like this project, ensures we’re able to deliver for our customers and support communities in an even more efficient and most importantly sustainable way,” Steven Borg said.
The new infrastructure includes a new substation and cable dispenser, and a high voltage 11 kV power system for Toll’s terminal which has been designed and delivered in collaboration with TasNetworks and TasPorts. The new power system will also have the added benefit of increasing terminal refrigerated container capacity whilst improving overall environmental impact.
The ground breaking new shore power system has been developed in collaboration between Vessel system providers Kongsberg Maritime Norway and WE Tech Solutions Finland and Quay side providers Siemens Australia/Germany and Cavotec Australia