Equinor Turning to Shore Power to Reduce Emissions Across Supply Chain

Equinor has 13 supply vessels in its contract portfolio that are ready for shore power supply, including Rem Eir from Remøy Shipping, whose contract with Equinor was recently extended by three years. Photo: Vidar Hardeland/Equinor

Norwegian energy major Equinor is increasingly turning towards shore power as one of several measures to reduce emissions in its logistics supply chain for the Norwegian Continental Shelf.

As of this month, the company has thirteen supply vessels under long-term contracts that have installed hybrid battery power and ship-to-shore charging systems on board, and a further five vessels in the contract portfolio will be prepared for shore power supply in 2019.

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 is seeking to step up its emission reduction in the NCS supply chain from 26% to 50% by 2030, based on 2011 level.

On Friday, NorSea Group opened its latest a shore-to-ship power supply station at the Dusavik supply base by Stavanger. The base is the latest in a growing list of supply bases where vessels under Equinor contract are offered shore power while at berth.

Equinor says an increasing number of shipowners with supply vessels under contract with the company are being prepared for hybrid battery operation and shore power supply.

“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 Philippe F. Mathieu, head of Equinor’s joint operations support cluster..

In addition to Dusavik, over the past year 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.

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