Equinor Pushes Shore Power, Cuts CO2

Norwegian oil major Equinor said that NorSea opened a shore power supply station at the Dusavik supply base in Stavanger, Norway, on January 18.

"The base is the latest in a string of supply bases where vessels operating on Equinor contracts are offered shore power for hotel needs while at berth and to charge their onboard batteries," said a press statement.

Shore-to-ship power supply is one of several measures to reduce emissions in logistics. Thirteen supply vessels on long-term contracts with Equinor have installed shore power systems on board, and a further five vessels in the contract portfolio will be prepared for shore power supply during 2019.

“We need broad cooperation if we are to reduce emissions from our supply chain. Equinor plays a key role in this effort, as we have many suppliers who must be team players if we are to cut emissions. We influence operations by our management of day-to-day activities, commercially by rewarding low emissions in contracts and strategically by supporting a business that utilizes vessels, vehicles and helicopters in a proper way,” says Philippe F. Mathieu, head of Equinor’s joint operations support cluster.

Since 2011, Equinor has cut emissions from its logistical operations by a total of 600,000 tonnes of CO2, corresponding to annual emissions from all cars in Oslo. This includes helicopters and vessels used for supply, emergency response, rig moves and storage.

Total emissions have been reduced by 37%, while emissions adjusted for reduced activity have been reduced by 26%.

Equinor has an ambition of stepping up its emission reduction in the NCS supply chain from 26% to 50% by 2030, based on 2011 level.

An increasing number of shipowners with supply vessels in the Equinor portfolio are prepared for hybrid battery operation and shore power supply.

A central financial contributor for shipowners aiming to adapt their vessels to hybrid battery operation and shore power supply, the NOX fund gives financial support based on how much the systems are being used up to a ceiling.

“We have an ambition of moving all vessels on long-term contract with us to shore power, because we have seen that it is an efficient tool for reducing emissions. We note that shipowners, crews, base companies and authorities are strongly committed and willing to prepare for operation and infrastructure that will help reduce emissions,” says Mathieu.

In addition to Dusavik, shore-to-ship power supply stations have been installed at the supply bases at Mongstad in Hordaland, Florø in Sogn og Fjordane, Kristiansund in Møre og Romsdal and Hammerfest in Finnmark during the past year.

The Norsea Group and its subsidiaries have been active in developing four of the bases used by Equinor for its supply activities. Financial support by Enova has made the investments possible.