The Greater Victoria Harbour Authority is likely to have some government help in paying for its proposed $25-million shore-power project at Ogden Point.
The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure says it’s interested in looking at the authority’s business case to see if the addition of shore power at Ogden Point is technically and financially feasible.
In a statement, a spokesperson noted that the ministry previously partnered with the federal government, B.C. Hydro and the cruise-ship industry to bring shore power to the terminal at Canada Place in Vancouver.
It said shore power for cruise ships docking at Ogden Point would support Greater Victoria’s tourism industry and help reduce greenhouse-gas emissions.
A Transportation Canada spokesperson noted climate change remains a key priority for the Canadian government, which intends to exceed the country’s 2030 climate goals and strive for net-zero emissions by 2050.
“The government of Canada is scaling up efforts to reduce emissions from all parts of the economy, including the marine sector, and is exploring a range of opportunities to advance these efforts with partners.”
The federal ministry has a history of supporting shore-power projects. The Shore Power Technology for Ports Program, launched in 2012 and completed in 2019, spent more than $19.5 million on seven projects led by Canadian port authorities, terminal operators and ferry operators to establish marine shore power.
Projects included $2 million for B.C. Ferries and $350,000 million for the Port of Vancouver to upgrade the power at its cruise-ship terminal in Coal Harbour.
The program offered up to 50 per cent of the cost of implementing shore-power technology, up to a maximum of $5 million.
The harbour authority estimates installing shore power for use at the cruise ship terminal at Ogden Point would cut greenhouse-gas emissions by 46 per cent.
