The first port in Greece to launch its transformation into a "green" zero-emission port is the port of Igoumenitsa, following the completion of the holistic energy upgrade program entitled ALFION (Alternative Fuel Implementation in Igoumenitsa Port). The project concerns the mapping of the current situation and the preparation of a series of studies to minimize the environmental footprint of the port and the ships served by it, the use of innovative environmentally friendly technologies, the increase in the energy efficiency of the port, as well as the use of renewable sources to provide energy to port activities, with the ultimate goal of transforming the port into an energy hub.
The results of the holistic energy upgrade project of the Port of Igoumenitsa were presented at the Final Project Results Conference which took place in Igoumenitsa, on 14/10/2022, in the presence of the Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Michalis Papadopoulos and representatives of the Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy, HEDNO and RAE. The importance of the project was highlighted by the President of the Port of Igoumenitsa Authority S.A., Regina Delaveri, and the Mayor of Igoumenitsa, Ioannis Lolos.
"The transformation of the Port of Igoumenitsa into a zero-emission port has been one of the strategic goals of the current administration of the Port of Igoumenitsa from the very beginning. The transition to "green" port models is, moreover, fully compatible with the European Union's goals for climate neutrality, the European Commission's Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy, as well as with the guidelines of the European Sea Ports Organization (ESPO). The port of Igoumenitsa is the only port in our country and in the Adriatic that has a complete implementation and financing roadmap for its energy upgrade and we are confident that the results of ALFION will be a reference point for many Greek and European ports," said the CEO of the Port of Igoumenitsa Authority, Athanasios Porfyris.
According to the CEO of the Port of Igoumenitsa Authority, the action plan for the transformation into a "green port" includes, among other things:
• Shore Power Supply for Ships (Cold Ironing), Smart Energy Management and Monitoring System, Electric Car and Truck Charging System, Battery Swapping System for Ships and Vehicles and Energy Storage System (Green Hydrogen),
• Studies for the management of Port Waste, with its separation and composting for the production of natural gas which will be used for the movement of port vehicles,
• Development of a 2,5MWp photovoltaic park to cover the energy needs of the port, replacement of the lamps on the lighting pylons to save up to 80% of electricity, upgrading the energy class of the buildings to A+++ by installing an open-circuit geothermal system from the geothermal potential of the sea and installing photovoltaic panels and urban wind turbines for energy offsetting, desalination of seawater to supply ships with clean water.
The ALFION project, with a total budget of €1.080.000,00 (plus VAT), was implemented by the Port of Igoumenitsa Authority in collaboration with HEDNO, the Maritime Transport Laboratory of the National Technical University of Athens and the companies PROTASIS and HYDRUS, with the technical support of the company GATES. It was financed 50% by the CEF (Connecting Europe Facility) Fund of the EU and 50% by the Port of Igoumenitsa Authority.
