On April the 20th, FEPORT submitted its feedback in the context of the review of the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation.
FEPORT’s reply especially touched on the topic of the deployment of onshore power supply as the 2030 deployment deadline spelled out in the current Regulation is rapidly approaching. The paper situated this challenge in the wider context of port electrification as not only the shipping but also terminal operators are rapidly electrifying their operations.
The paper particularly elaborates on the following topics:
- Grid access and permitting: as the 2030 deadline is getting closer every day, it should be prevented that either grid capacity or permitting time turn into bottlenecks preventing the timely rollout of shore-side electricity:
- User requirements and demand: to prevent stranded assets, it is crucial to stimulate demand and ensure that the infrastructure provided in the port is actually used. FuelEU should therefore incorporate strict user obligations while taxation measures but also mechanisms such as the emission trading system can stimulate demand. Preventing evasive port calls is equally key to prevent the underutilisation of infrastructure;
- State aid and funding: the deployment of shore-side electricity and port electrification at large contribute to key EU policy objectives such as decarbonisation, energy security and resilience. State aid and EU funding schemes should therefore be leveraged to further accelerate this transition while allowing operators to safeguard and increase competitiveness.
FEPORT reply can be accessed here.
