Hamburg, May 3, 2017 – With the latest port call of the AIDAsol, the landside power plant at the Hamburg Cruise Center Altona has started its regular operation. Following the successful conclusion of the pilot phase at the end of 2016, this was the first time a cruise ship has been supplied with green power during its entire port call and was able to shut down its own generators.
The landside power plant’s operation benefits the environment as well as the cruise location Hamburg. On the occasion of the start of the regular operation, HAMBURG ENERGIE, AIDA Cruises and the HPA have entered into a power supply agreement. “The conclusion of the shore-side power contract is a historic milestone for an ecological power supply of cruise ships in the Port of Hamburg. I am delighted that a ship has been supplied with emission-free power last Saturday for the very first time in the long history of the Port of Hamburg,” says Tino Klemm, Chief Financial Officer and Member of the HPA Management Board.
AIDAsol will use the landside power plant twelve times in the 2017 season
“Together with our partners in Hamburg, we are taking another step forward and make an important contribution to the climate protection and air pollution control. With the landside power supply of the AIDAsol in Altona and the LNG supply of the AIDAprima in Steinwerder, we are able to show the environmental-friendly alternatives available in Hamburg,” says Dr Monika Griefahn, Director for Environment and Society [KK1] AIDA Cruises.
Hamburg Energie supplies cruise ships with 100% green power
“Thanks to our expansion project for power from renewable energy sources, HAMBURG ENERGIE produces as much electricity by now as 42,000 household use in a year. The Port of Hamburg plays an important role in this since we systematically expand our local wind parks. The landside power plant Altona is supplied with clean power from now on. When cruise ships come to Hamburg, we here “green power instead of ship’s diesel” more and more often. This is great for the climate in Hamburg – just like our wind power plants are,” says Michael Beckereit, Managing Director of HAMBURG ENERGIE.
Landside power plant sets standards
The plant provides a power supply with two frequencies: 60 hertz and 50 hertz. Roughly 75% of all international sea vessels are equipped with 60 hertz grids, however, only a small number of countries offer power grids with this frequency. By offering both frequencies, the landside power plant sets standards.