Terna Secures Approval for Cold Ironing Project to Electrify Port of La Spezia and Cut CO2 Emissions

Terna Secures Approval for Cold Ironing Project to Electrify Port of La Spezia and Cut CO2 Emissions

(IN BRIEF) Terna has received the first national authorization for its Cold Ironing project, which aims to electrify the Port of La Spezia in Italy. The Region of Liguria has approved the development of infrastructure that will provide 110 MW of power, including a new gas-insulated electrical substation and two underground cable connections. This €38 million project will support the Port System Authority by providing a sustainable energy supply, reducing CO2 emissions from berthed ships through Cold Ironing, and contributing to national and European decarbonization goals. The project will also improve local energy efficiency and strengthen the connection to the national electricity grid.

(PRESS RELEASE) ROME, 4-Feb-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Terna, the Italian national electricity grid operator, has secured the first national authorization for its interventions as part of the Cold Ironing project aimed at electrifying the Port of La Spezia. This important step comes after the Region of Liguria granted approval for the connection works and facilities, totaling 110 MW of planned capacity. The approval marks a key milestone in Terna’s efforts to electrify Italian ports, following a recent legislative change proposed by the company.

As part of this initiative, Terna will invest approximately €38 million in the development of new infrastructure, including a 132 kV gas-insulated electrical substation, named “La Spezia Stagnoni.” This substation is designed to minimize its land footprint, in line with Terna’s commitment to sustainability. The project also includes the installation of two underground cable connections spanning 2.5 kilometers, which will connect the new substation to the “La Spezia – La Pianta” power line and the existing “La Spezia” electrical substation, ensuring the supply of electricity to the Port System Authority (PSA) plants and docks.

These upgrades are essential to meet the increasing energy demands of the Port of La Spezia while advancing Italy’s decarbonization objectives. The Cold Ironing system will allow ships to power up directly from the onshore grid during their stay at port, eliminating the need for auxiliary engines and cutting down both atmospheric and acoustic pollution. This initiative aligns with national and European goals to reduce CO2 emissions from the maritime industry.

The new infrastructure will also complement the ongoing La Pianta – La Spezia power cable project, which began in 2024. This will connect the local distribution network to the national grid, further enhancing the efficiency and resilience of the local electricity transmission system. Overall, the Cold Ironing project will significantly contribute to the decarbonization of the port and strengthen the local grid’s interconnectivity, ensuring a more sustainable and efficient energy supply.

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SOURCE: TERNA S.p.A.