Plans are underway in Seward, Alaska, to introduce shore power to cruise ships by 2026. This came after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded the city a $47.5 million grant to build the necessary infrastructure.
The project will greatly reduce carbon emissions generated by cruise ships by allowing them to switch to the local electric grid while docked instead of relying on diesel-fueled generators.
City Manager Kat Sorensen informed Alaska Public Media that a single vessel’s electricity usage is significantly higher than what the entire town consumes. She explained that one vessel’s eight-hour consumption is equivalent to the amount Seward uses for a full 24 hours.
With only 3,000 utility customers, Sorensen anticipates that the additional demand from vessels will help the small city save on electricity costs while lowering operating expenses from their local provider Seward Electric Services.
Funding From EPA’s Clean Ports Program
The multi-million grant is part of EPA’s Clean Ports Program, an initiative that awards selected US ports funds for zero-emission infrastructure, port equipment, and climate and air quality planning.
City officials shared that the upcoming development will include extending the electric transmission line to the port, installing switchgear, administering training programs, and incorporating a battery energy storage system to improve energy management.
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The port city was awarded the full amount requested, enough to shoulder 90% of the total $50.8 million project cost. It intends to raise the remaining 10% through private funding from The Seward Company, an organization partnered with the Alaska Railroad, Turnagain Marine, and Royal Caribbean.
Mickey Richardson, owner of the Seward Company, expressed appreciation for the cruise line and its role in helping the city get the grant. “Royal Caribbean made it easy to dream big,” he remarked.
“At today’s price tag for infrastructure projects, new ideas require long-term thinking and even more support through model public-private partnerships. Without Royal Caribbean Group’s commitment to shore power, receiving this EPA grant would not be possible.”
Meanwhile, City Mayor Sue McClure acknowledged its wider impact on the port and city. “The Port of Seward’s shore power project will place Seward among the forefront of sustainable ports in North America. By reducing reliance on diesel generators, we are not only cutting emissions but also enhancing the resilience of our local electric grid.”
Infrastructure development will begin in early 2025. Officials estimate it will be ready soon after the new cruise terminal and pier are built in 2026.
