Port of Gävle has been granted funding from the European Regional Development Fund to expand shore power at the container terminal. The investment will help reduce emissions from vessels at berth, while strengthening the port’s role in a sustainable, robust and resilient transport system in North Central Sweden.
The Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth has decided to grant funding to the project through the European Regional Development Fund. The funding covers 70 percent of the project’s total eligible costs, up to a maximum of SEK 45.7 million. The shore power facility is expected to be ready for use by the end of 2028.
In its decision, the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth assesses that the project will make a clear contribution to a transport system in North Central Sweden that is sustainable, robust and resilient. This is highlighted as important both for regional development and for societal preparedness.
Shore power means that vessels at berth can connect to electricity from land instead of using auxiliary engines on board. For vessels that are able to connect, this contributes to lower emissions, reduced noise and a better working environment for both crew and port staff.
“We are very pleased about this opportunity. Shore power is an important prerequisite for a long-term sustainable and competitive container terminal. A terminal with high capacity is also essential for the port’s ability to fulfil its role from a total defence perspective,” says Linda Astner, Director of Development and Deputy CEO at Port of Gävle.
Based on the vessel calls at the container terminal in 2025, emissions from container vessels at berth could have been reduced by approximately 3,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide if all container vessels had been able to connect to shore power. This corresponds to almost one third of the port cluster’s total carbon dioxide emissions that year.
The actual impact depends on how many vessels call at the port and how many of them have the technical capability to connect to shore power. The potential is nevertheless significant, as time at berth accounts for a substantial share of emissions from vessels during their stay in port.
The funding enables Port of Gävle to expand the infrastructure well ahead of upcoming EU requirements for shore power. Once the facility is completed, vessels with the capability to connect will be able to use electricity at berth from the end of 2028.
The investment is part of Port of Gävle’s long-term work to electrify the port area and create conditions for more energy-efficient transport. The port already has shore power facilities at other berths, and the expansion at the container terminal is the next step in reducing the climate impact from vessels at berth.
Part of the Energy Optimized Port Cluster
Shore power at the container terminal is one of several initiatives within Port of Gävle’s work with the Energy Optimized Port Cluster 2030. The programme brings together actors in the port cluster around a shared objective to reduce emissions, use energy more efficiently and future-proof the infrastructure.
Facts: Shore power at the container terminal
Project: Shore power at the container terminal
Funding: European Regional Development Fund
Decision-making authority: Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth
Support: 70 percent of eligible costs, up to a maximum of SEK 45.7 million
Project period: 3 August 2026–31 December 2028
Purpose: To enable electricity connection for container vessels at berth and contribute to reduced emissions, increased energy efficiency and strengthened transport infrastructure.
The project is co-financed by the EU through the European Regional Development Fund.
Positive news worth celebrating. Port of Gävle marked the EU funding for shore power at the container terminal with a cake.
