80MW boost to decarbonise port operations
The Port of Barcelona will receive an 80-megawatt (MW) electricity supply to electrify its docks, allowing ships to turn off their engines while berthed and significantly reducing emissions. This upgrade is part of a wider energy transition plan aiming to cut the port’s CO2 emissions by 85% by 2040 compared to 2017 levels, according to the Port de Barcelona. The power will be delivered via a new connection between the Cerdà and Port substations, a project led by Red Eléctrica, the national electricity transmission operator. The enhancement supports the deployment of Onshore Power Supply (OPS) systems, which let vessels draw electricity from the grid while docked.
Cerdà substation expansion completed
Red Eléctrica completed the expansion of the Cerdà substation in Barcelona’s Zona Franca in July 2026, investing €37 million in the project. The upgrade included three new operational power lines: Cerdà–Hospitalet, Cerdà–Barcelona-El Prat Airport, and Cerdà–Zona Franca, strengthening the regional electrical grid. According to Redeia, the parent company of Red Eléctrica, the Cerdà substation is a key facility for the electrification of the port’s quays and the broader energy transition in Catalonia.
The connection between Cerdà and Port will provide the necessary capacity to advance the electrification of the docks and deploy new energy solutions.
, Beatriz Corredor, President of Redeia
Next phase: Port substation launch in 2027
The next milestone is the commissioning of the Port substation, scheduled for early 2027. This facility will launch the first OPS system at a cruise terminal, allowing cruise ships to connect to the grid during port stays. Currently, container ships can already use shore power at the Hutchison Ports Best terminal. The port’s Energy Transition Plan includes over 150 actions and aims to halve emissions by 2030 compared to 2017, equivalent to removing 240,000 cars from the road annually. The plan also supports industrial projects such as a green methanol plant by HyFive, expected to invest €490 million, and hydrogen development initiatives.
Electrify all possible processes
Port president José Alberto Carbonell stressed that decarbonisation means “electrifying all possible processes.” While photovoltaic installations on warehouse roofs in the Zona de Actividades Logísticas (ZAL) will generate some energy, off-grid supply remains essential. Carbonell highlighted the need for greater electrical capacity and partnership with Red Eléctrica to achieve the port’s transformation goals. The €1.7 billion investment in energy infrastructure aims to make the Port of Barcelona a leader in sustainable maritime logistics.
Primary sources: l-h.cat, inventariarxiu.l-h.cat. Reported by portdebarcelona.cat, www.ree.es, El Periódico Barcelona.
