By Mark Edward Nero
The shoreside power system at the Port of San Diego’s Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal was selected in March as a public works 2014 Project of the Year by the American Public Works Association, a not-for-profit, professional association of public works agencies, private companies and individuals.
The shore power system, which was dedicated Feb. 24, aims to improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by allowing cargo vessels to plug-in and use electrical power from San Diego Gas & Electric instead of relying on diesel fuel engines while in port.
Construction on the $4.25 million project began in mid-2013 and was funded by the port’s Capital Improvement Program. The contractor was San Diego-based NEWest Construction.
The project was undertaken as part of a mandate set forth by the California Air Resources Board requiring California ports and terminals to provide shore power to container, passenger and refrigerated-cargo ships.
The Port of San Diego is already equipped to provide shore power to cruise ships that berth at both its B Street Pier Cruise Ship Terminal and Broadway Pier.
“The port is proud to be honored for a project that contributes to our environmental stewardship around San Diego Bay,” Board of Port Commissioners Chair Bob Nelson said in a statement.
