A pioneering pilot project at the Port of Gothenburg is entering its final phase, testing a hydrogen-powered generator designed to supply electricity to ships while docked—a solution that could revolutionize shore-side power in ports lacking traditional infrastructure.
Shifting ships from fossil-fuel engines to electric power while at berth significantly reduces emissions. The Port of Gothenburg was an early adopter of Onshore Power Supply (OPS) systems, installing one of the world’s first such facilities in the early 2000s at Stena Line’s terminals for routes to Germany and Denmark.
However, many ports around the world have struggled to implement OPS due to the substantial investments and electrical infrastructure required. The new hydrogen-based approach may offer a cleaner, more accessible alternative.
In the current two-week pilot, a hydrogen generator powered by green hydrogen was connected to Stena Line’s existing OPS facility. The generator supplied electricity to the vessels Stena Germanica and Stena Scandinavica while docked, successfully demonstrating the system’s operational feasibility.
This initiative comes ahead of a 2030 EU regulation that will mandate OPS usage for all container and passenger ships at berth. A study by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) estimates that this regulation could cut annual carbon emissions by over one million tonnes.
According to Viktor Allgurén, Head of Innovation at the Port of Gothenburg, the project’s impact could extend far beyond Sweden.
“Since the climate is a shared concern, it’s in everyone’s interest that as many ports as possible are able to meet these upcoming requirements. With our long-standing experience in OPS, we’re proud to partner with Stena Line in testing this promising technology,” he said.
The hydrogen generator used in the pilot was developed by Hitachi Energy, in collaboration with PowerCell Group, which provided the fuel cell modules and integration expertise. The generator operated on 100% green hydrogen supplied by Linde Gas.
The Port of Gothenburg is already a hub for hydrogen innovation. It operates a refueling station for hydrogen-powered trucks, is trialing hydrogen work vehicles, and has previously used the same generator technology to power heavy equipment during a terminal expansion project led by Skanska.
As the maritime sector seeks scalable, low-emission solutions, Gothenburg’s hydrogen-powered OPS pilot may serve as a blueprint for cleaner, more adaptable shore power systems across the globe.
