Port of Québec to install shore power at cruise ship terminal

Shore power means better air quality for Quebec City

QUEBEC, July 31, 2015 /CNW/ - The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, on behalf of the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Transport, joined Jean D'Amour, Quebec Minister for Transport and the Implementation of the Maritime Strategy, Dominique Vien, Quebec Minister of Tourism, and Mario Girard, President and CEO, Quebec Port Authority, in announcing today new funding for the installation of shore power at the Port of Quebec.

Shore power is a highly effective way to reduce marine diesel air emissions. Shore power improves local air quality by enabling ships to shut down their engines and connect to the electrical grid in order to provide necessary power while docked.

The project will enable the purchase and implementation of shore power infrastructure at the Pointe-à-Carcy terminal.

With this project, the total reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions should reach many thousands of tonnes of GHGs annually.

The total cost of the project is $13.5M. The Government of Canada is providing up to $5M under its ShorePower Technology for Ports Program. The Government of Quebec is providing $5.1M ($3M from the Ministry of Transport and $2.1M from the Ministry of Tourism) and the Quebec Port Authority is providing the remaining $3.4M.

Quick Facts

• The Shore Power Technology for Ports Program is part of the Government of Canada's ongoing efforts to improve air quality and limit GHG emissions from the Canadian transportation sector.
• This program is financed by the Green Fund, under the portfolio of David Heurtel, Minister of Sustainable Development, the Environment and the Fight Against Climate Change. The fund's revenues are drawn mainly from the carbon market as part of the 2013-20 Action Plan on Climate Change and this fund has a 29.1 M$ budget until March 31, 2017.
• The Government of Quebec estimates that this project will mean a reduction in thousands of tonnes of GHGs per year. Shore power technology for ports, also called marine shore power, is a leading-edge technology that allows ships to plug into the local electrical grid to power the vessel while at port.
• This provides power to ship equipment such as electric pumps, lighting, and water heating, avoiding the use of auxiliary diesel engines which consume fuel, produce GHG and air pollutant emission.

Quotes

"We are proud to be investing in shore power in the Port of Québec. In addition to the environmental benefits, shore power is expected to contribute positively to tourism and create jobs. The new shore power will allow the Port of Québec to maintain and eventually grow the cruise business by allowing the port to stay competitive with other ports offering the service."
The Honourable Denis Lebel
Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec

"The shore power installation in the Port of Québec is an innovative way to foster the port's economic success and support its sustainable durable efforts. This measure is fully consistent with the tourism component of the Quebec Maritime Strategy and meets our government's objectives regarding the electrification of transport which greatly benefits the whole maritime industry in Quebec."
Jean D'Amour
Quebec Minister for Transport and the Implementation of the Maritime Strategy

"The Port of Québec plays an important role in the development of international cruises and its economic benefits has a ripple effect on all of Quebec. By having such equipment that enables ships to use electricity instead of fuel, we are further reinforcing the port's power of attraction as well as the overall quality of international cruises, an ever-growing market in Quebec."
Dominique Vien
Quebec Minister of Tourism

"The installation of shore power fits in perfectly with the Québec Port Authority's vision for sustainable development. With this project, the cruise industry on the St. Lawrence is showing environmental leadership and it enables us to reduce greenhouse gases. We are very pleased with this investment from our government partners. It is a major support for the cruise industry on the St. Lawrence and its economic benefits."
Mario Girard
President and CEO, Québec Port Authority

Associated Link

• Shore Power Technology for Ports Program
• Programme d'aide gouvernementale à l'amélioration de l'efficacité du transport maritime, aérien et ferroviaire (in French only)

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SOURCE Transport Canada

Zach Segal, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Ottawa, 613-991-0700; Media Relations, Transport Canada, Ottawa, 613-993-0055; Zoé Couture, Press Secretary, Office of the Quebec Minister for Transport and the Implementation of the Maritime Strategy, 418-643-6980; Media Relations, Communications Branch, Ministry of Transport of Quebec, Tél.: Québec : 418-644-4444, Montreal : 514-873-5600, Toll-free: 1 866 341-5724; Cynthia St-Hilaire, Press Secretary, Office of the Quebec Minister of Tourism, 418-528-8063; Marie-Andrée Blanchet, Advisor, Public Relations and Events, Québec Port Authority,418-648-3640, [email protected]