PORTLAND | CASE STUDY


MAINE TO EXPLORE ELECTRIFYING PORTS TO CUT POLLUTION


M


aine is taking steps to reduce pollution from diesel emissions by exploring ways to electrify its ports,


including Portland, Eastport, Searsport, and Rockland. With over 100 ships docking in Portland last year alone, the state’s new initiative aims to cut down on the significant environmental impact of ships running onboard generators while docked. The state Department of Transportation has launched a $1 million study, funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, to assess the feasibility, costs, and environmental benefits of electrifying Maine’s ports. The study will focus on the ports of Portland, Eastport, and Searsport, with Rockland also included as a case study for smaller coastal cruise ships. Officials are aiming to understand


how to reduce emissions from ships and ensure that the electric grid can handle the increased demand. According to Matthew Burns, deputy


director of Freight & Business Logistics at the Department of Transportation, the study will help the state plan ahead. “This is good work for us from the planning side so we’re ready when funding becomes available,” Burns said.


“We’ll at least know what’s needed, if there’s enough juice in the overall grid.” The energy demands for electrifying


Portland’s port could be substantial. If three ships were simultaneously powered at docking sites on Thames Street, it would require up to 25 megawatts of electricity— enough to power 20,000 to 25,000 homes. Avangrid, the parent company of Central Maine Power (CMP), which serves Portland, is working with state officials to assess grid capacity and what upgrades may be necessary to meet the growing demand. While officials are still working out


how to fund the necessary infrastructure upgrades, Burns notes that the state is looking at international examples to find ways to finance the grid improvements. One potential solution could be microgrids— small-scale, localized power systems. Last year, Portland saw 118 ships visit, with an average docking time of eight hours. During this time, ships rely on diesel generators to power lighting, heating, air conditioning, and other onboard systems. This equates to nearly 1,000 hours of energy consumption and more than 4,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions. By switching to shore power, emissions could be reduced by up to 98%, according to the state.


For Portland, Avangrid has proposed


three potential solutions. The least expensive would involve utilizing the current distribution system to provide 2 megawatts of power at a cost of approximately $200,000, with a project timeline of under one year. A second option would involve building a new substation to support up to 9 megawatts, costing up to $60 million and taking about a decade to complete. The third, most expensive option, would build a new substation and transmission line at a cost of $346 million, requiring seven years to finish. CMP is already pushing for a new substation to accommodate the region’s growing electricity demand, a process that could take up to 10 years. In Eastport, Versant Power, which serves


the area, is also evaluating the potential for electrifying the port, though cost estimates have yet to be determined. Around the world, 29 ports already


offer shore power at least at one cruise berth, with 36 more expected to follow suit by 2026. As Maine looks to reduce its reliance on diesel and cut down on harmful emissions, these international examples could provide valuable lessons in how to modernize the state’s ports and power grids.


Dockside Lift & Move Supplement | February 2025 | xv


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