Port of Bilbao Advances Shore Power Project With €11.4m Deal for Solar PV Plants

Wedoany.com Report-Aug. 8, The Port Authority of Bilbao in Spain has awarded a €11.48 million contract for the construction of solar photovoltaic (PV) plants, which will be integrated into the port's onshore power supply (OPS) system. The contract was granted to a joint venture formed by Viuda de Sainz, Radimer Servicios Energéticos, Achiles Ingeniería Fotovoltaica, and Solar 360 de Repsol y Movistar. The project has an execution timeline of eighteen months.

Four solar PV installations are planned within the port’s service area. These include: a facility at Zierbena Dock with a maximum capacity of 809.6 kWp; another on the Santurtzi breakwater, designed for 494.36 kWp; a third in the ferry terminal’s pre-boarding area at the A-6 Dock in Santurtzi, expected to produce up to 2,424.4 kWp; and one in the car park of the Olatua cruise terminal in Getxo, with a planned output of 527.12 kWp. In addition, the agreement includes a two-year operations and maintenance service following the completion of construction.

These PV systems form part of the broader BilbOPS initiative. The aim is to provide vessels at the Port of Bilbao—specifically ro-ro, ro-pax, container, and cruise ships—with the ability to connect to renewable onshore energy while docked. The initiative includes various energy projects such as the installation of PV arrays, a wave energy pilot project, and wind power facilities.

The OPS development is structured into multiple phases. The first phase, set for completion in early 2026, involves an investment of €4.7 million and has received a grant of €3.9 million from the Recovery and Resilience Facility. This phase will prepare 11 connection points, delivering a total of 30 MW in power.

The second phase, which started in 2025 and is expected to finish in 2027, has a total budget of €50.1 million. This phase is financed through the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) and the Port Authority’s internal funds. An €80 million loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB) has also been secured, part of which will support this initiative.

Beginning in 2027, renewable energy will be used to power vessels at berth, supplied either by the port’s own generation systems or by the designated distribution company. This development marks a significant step toward reducing emissions and advancing renewable energy use in maritime infrastructure.