Scope and Objectives of the Action
The Directive 2014/94/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 October 2014 on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure defines a common framework of measures for the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure in the European Union in order to minimise dependence on oil and to mitigate the environmental impact of transport. It sets out minimum requirements for the building-up of alternative fuels infrastructure, including infrastructure at Ports of the Core Network. for electric vessels and vehicles (EV). The current lack of infrastructure for EV charging is an important obstacle to the development of the subsequent market. Public interventions stimulating the implementation of charging infrastructure for electric vessels and vehicles are therefore necessary. Additionally, by supporting zero emission (electric vessels), especially in the Core Port of Igoumenitsa is contributing to the objectives of the European Green Deal, as set out in the Communication from the Commission COM(2019) 640 of 11 December 2019.
The Action aims at providing the necessary final studies and engineering designs for the development of on-shore power supply technology to the port of Igoumenitsa, the introduction of renewable energy sources to the power system of the port, and the necessary creation of a central power management system that will regulate the energy network of the port, maximising the environmental and financial profits for the port and the entire area. The Action aims to contribute to the fulfilment of three key needs:
- Significant upgrade of the port infrastructure that will increase the port’s power management efficiency and materialise the port’s plan to offer on-shore power supply to vessels and construct charging stations for vehicles.
- Deployment of Renewable Energy Sources inside and in the broader area of the port so that significant portions of energy required by the port is provided by its own resources and will allow the port to efficiently manage and offer electric power to the grid.
- Provision of green electric energy to ships at berth via ship-to-shore power interconnections and to road vehicles via recharging power stations, reducing ship emissions and noise of their auxiliary engines (electric generators) and the overall environmental footprint of transport activities in the port area.
