The port of Sète has successfully completed the virtuous electrification of its main quays in just ten months

Des conteneurs de transformation électrique et convertisseur de fréquence ont été livrés fin 2023. DR

L'électrification des principaux quais a été réussie en dix mois et dans les délais souhaités, permettant au port de Sète de tenir ses engagements, de bénéficier des aides européennes et d'intégrer les bons élèves disposant d'une connexion.

Mission accomplished. The commercial port of Sète completed last month, within the allotted time, the virtuous electrification work on its main quays. Here it is in the short list of good student ports having a quay connection, which will be compulsory from 2030. Ten months of work notably marked by the installation, in November, of & nbsp;four connection points on the busiest quays: H3 for Ro-Ro ships and the shipowner DFDS,  Môle Masselin for ferries and the Colbert basin.

These connections are powered by three telescopic jibs about ten meters high and a jib on a mobile trolley. Thanks to two 1.9 megawatt units (Quai H, Bassin Colbert) and another of 2.5 megawatts (Masselin mole), an additional 6.3 megawatts are available at the port of Sète, s' adding to the 3 already available.

"A lot of work from the team in place and the companies"

Boats will now be able to power themselves with low-carbon energy: 9.3 megawatts of power initially, then 12 by 2026-2027 to ensure connection cruise ships. "I had serious doubts that we would be on time. But the team in place and the companies selected have done a lot of work,” says Olivier Carmes, port director.

It must be said that the stakes were multiple: economic, political, environmental but also financial. The cost of electrification amounted to 7.7 million ;euros, with significant aid of 5.7 M€ of Europe, via the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), conditional on completion of the work before December 31, 2023. "The issue was also political: we' ;#39;was committed to the Region (owner of the port, Editor's note) to meet the decarbonization ambition on time, adds Olivier Carmes.

The connection of ships will take place gradually. The new installations will first be tested in February. The regular connection phase is planned from June with an increase in power over the months and the adaptation of the ships. "The entire port fleet will not be connected right away. continued", recalls the director, who announces a 10% reduction and electricity at cost price for good students who will be connected in 2024 then a priority at the dock given to ships connected from 2025 .

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