Entergy, Edison Chouest launch shore power project at Port Fourchon

The following is text of a news release from Entergy:

(PORT FOURCHON, La.) — Marine vessels docked at South Louisiana’s Port Fourchon can now play a role in helping protect Louisiana’s environment by replacing fossil-fuel-generated ship power with Entergy’s new shore power product.

Entergy Louisiana and Edison Chouest Offshore (ECO) have partnered to build the first utility-scale shore power installation at Port Fourchon, the port that plays a role in providing nearly 20 percent of the nation’s oil supply. Shore power is a beneficial electrification product developed by Entergy’s innovation department, KeyString Labs, to enable customers to reach their own sustainability goals by leveraging Entergy’s cleaner generation profile. Shore power in Entergy’s service areas is estimated to potentially achieve as much as a 42 percent net reduction in carbon emissions, a 48 percent net reduction in sulfur oxides emissions and a 98 percent net reduction in nitrogen oxides emissions, when comparing emissions rate of marine diesel oil versus Entergy’s at-the-plug emissions rate.

“We are eager to partner with our customers to innovate and scale products and services that create benefits for our entire customer base and the communities we serve,” said Rod West, utility group president for Entergy Corp. “We power life in the Gulf South, and shore power is evidence of our continued role to help our customers and communities flourish, just as we’ve done for the last century.”

Dino Chouest, executive vice president of ECO, echoes that sentiment: “We’re proud to partner with Entergy Louisiana on what could become a model for ports across the world by adding value for customers and communities through significant emissions reductions. It’s a win for everyone.”

This initial installation extends Entergy Louisiana’s local distribution system to simultaneously accommodate 10 ECO marine vessels at port. ECO developed and deployed technology which allows marine vessels to seamlessly transition from fossil-fuel-generated ship power to cleaner electric grid power. These investments highlight both companies’ commitment to investing in new technologies to increase the sustainability of their operations and the operations of their customers.

“Port Fourchon is the most important offshore oil and gas service port in the country, and we are excited that Entergy Louisiana and ECO are partnering to keep us on the leading edge,” said Chett Chiasson, executive director of the Greater Lafourche Port Commission, which oversees Port Fourchon.

“Economic growth and environmental sustainability are directly connected in Bayou Lafourche, and this shore power project is a shining example of taking care of our home so that it remains a desirable destination for suppliers and oil and gas operators,” said Chiasson.

By Professional Mariner Staff