Serco NorthLink Ferries’ onshore energy project cuts carbon footprint by 750 tonnes a year

Monday 8th August 2022

A project by Serco NorthLink Ferries to supply green electrical power to one of its ships is saving over 750 tonnes of carbon dioxide from being released into the environment every year.

The Hamnavoe Shore Power Project sees the MV Hamnavoe ‘plug in’ to a clean electrical power source overnight while docked in Stromness, Orkney.

The green travel initiative vastly reduces the ship’s carbon footprint per annum – the equivalent of over 290 diesel cars driving 10,000 miles for a year – while also further reducing nitrogen oxide sulphur oxide emissions.

The shoreside connection is expected to save NorthLink Ferries’ MV Hamnavoe almost 97,000 gallons of fuel each year; the equivalent to 6,000 barrels of oil, with maintenance savings of up to £160,000 a year.  

The project, delivered in partnership by NorthLink Ferries, Orkney Islands Council and Schneider Electric, forms part of a wider move to support low carbon travel, bringing a number of environmental benefits and helps to protect marine life, while also reducing noise pollution.

Stuart Garrett, Managing Director of Serco NorthLink Ferries, said: “NorthLink Ferries is committed to improving the environments of our ports and the Hamnavoe Shore Power Project is just one of the ways we are working towards this.

“The wider benefits of this project are undeniable, supporting our mission to supply greener travel options for our customers.

“Shore power has an important role to play in immediately reducing emissions from vessels visiting ports and will fundamentally help to protect the seas and the beautiful islands of Shetland and Orkney that we serve.”