The APB promotes the electrification of docks in the ports of Palma, Ibiza and Mahon with new medium voltage OPS systems
Nearly 10 million euros will be invested in the works for the first two connection points in the port of Pitius, the second in the Balearic capital and the first on the island of Minorca
Palma
03/06/2025
The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) has contracted the installation of four new OPS (Onshore Power Supply) systems - also known as cold ironing - in the ports of Palma, Ibiza and Mahon for nearly ten million euros. These elements of infrastructure will allow ships to connect to the shore-side electricity grid during their stay in port, eliminating the need to keep their auxiliary engines running and thereby reducing polluting emissions and noise pollution in nearby urban areas.
The president of the APB, Javier Sanz, already highlighted at the time "the determined push" being made by the port body in the electrification of the docks, which has a direct effect on the process of decarbonisation of port operations and, therefore, on "environmental sustainability", but also "on the well-being of the port's residents, who are going to notice a reduction in noise during ship layovers in the port".
In the port of Palma, where the first low and medium voltage OPS point for ferries and fast-ferries is already in operation on the West quays, the installation of a second medium voltage system with a power of 1,600 kW has recently been awarded, located on the Commercial quays. This new infrastructure will allow the connection of ferries operating on a regular line, thus extending the coverage of the current system and reinforcing the process of decarbonisation of port operations.
The company awarded the contract was Sampol for 2.4 million euros, which has already implemented the first OPS in the same port.
New points in Ibiza and Mahon
In the port of Ibiza, two medium-voltage OPS systems will also be installed, with a power output of 1,600 kW each, located on the Botafoc quays, allowing two ships to be connected simultaneously. This double connection will increase operational efficiency and substantially reduce atmospheric emissions and noise generated in the port environment, in line with the strategy of sustainability and improvement of port-city integration.
The contract has also been awarded to Sampol, for a works budget of 4.69 million euros.
Meanwhile, in the port of Mahon, a contract has been awarded for the execution of a medium voltage OPS system with a power output of 1,600 kW, which will be located on the Cós Nou quay, allowing the connection of ferries and other vessels. This new supply point is an important step towards a model of cleaner and quieter port operations, especially important for the residents around the port.
The contract was awarded to the joint venture formed by FCC and COMSA for 2.84 million euros.
European co-funding
These actions are part of the APB's firm commitment to environmental sustainability and energy efficiency in its port facilities. The electrification of the docks of the five ports of general interest that it manages (Palma, Alcúdia, Ibiza, Mahon and La Savina) has a total planned investment of approximately 100 million euros until 2030, 40% of which is co-funded by the Next Generation EU funds.
It is estimated that each of the projects can directly provide 15 jobs.
