Iberdrola España has completed the installation of an onshore power supply (OPS) infrastructure at the Basque port of Pasaia, enabling ships to connect to the electricity grid while docked and draw power from renewable energy sources.

The connection point has been installed at the Kaputxinos pier in the Gipuzkoa port and will serve hybrid roll-on/roll-off vessels operated by shipping company UECC, which transports wheeled vehicles.

The system is designed to allow vessels to shut down auxiliary engines during port stays, providing cost savings compared to traditional fuels and reducing engine wear, whilst also cutting air and noise pollution in the port area.

Izaskun Goñi, president of the Pasaia Port Authority, noted: "Having this infrastructure in place will make it possible to substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality in the port area. Through initiatives like this, we aim to establish Pasaia as an eco-sustainable port committed to decarbonising its operations."

Eduardo Lobato, Iberdrola España's commercial representative in the Basque Country, said the electrification of ports would be important for the energy transition in maritime transport, enabling more efficient, cleaner and autonomous energy management.

The project has received €1.9m in funding from the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility through the Sustainable and Digital Transport Support Program, part of Spain's Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan funded by the European Union's NextGenerationEU programme.

The initiative forms part of a broader deployment of OPS technology by Iberdrola España across three Spanish ports, including Vigo and Alicante.