The electrification of the quays, a unique project in France! » The economic and political letter of PACA

The electrification of the quays in Toulon is a project without current equivalent in the French ports.

Launched at the start of 2021, work is progressing on the port of Toulon. The objective is to electrify the three quays (Fournel, Minerve and Corsica) of the Toulon Côte d’Azur terminal for the first half of 2023 in order to improve air quality and reduce fine particle emissions by 80% during long layovers, as well as noise and vibration.

“This colossal work represents an investment of €20.3 million and its co-financiers, State, Region, Department and Europe, including 7 million for the Metropolis. They will enable a considerable improvement in air quality, a reduction in noise, combustion fallout and vibrations in the Toulon Côte d’Azur retail terminal in the city centre. »announced Hubert Falco, president of TPM, mayor of Toulon and former minister.

A UNIQUE PROJECT IN FRANCE

In concrete terms, this colossal project has no equivalent in French ports. Thus, the converter station that has just been installed is 40 meters long, 13 meters wide, and 7.80 meters high! It is he who will provide the power needed to simultaneously supply three ferries at the docks or two ferries and a cruise ship.

“This Smart Grid technology and its energy mix will allow this smart electricity distribution network to optimize electricity consumption in real time and to choose between energy from the Enedis network or from hydrogen produced on the set. de Signes, solar power thanks to the photovoltaic shades that will cover the access roads to the platforms, or even a battery pack that will store the electricity produced and not consumed”, adds Hubert Falco, with real satisfaction.

Representing the President of the Region, François de Canson, Vice-President of the Region, was also enthusiastic about the work undertaken: “ Around our three major regional ports, 3 of the 4 major cities have been built. Our prosperity and wealth are tied to the success of our three ports. 120,000 jobs depend on the sea on our territory (6%). We have, with Marseille on 1^is French port, 2^th in the Mediterranean in terms of tonnes of goods. Every day, more than 40 ship calls are made at the 3 ports, with colossal challenges in terms of economic activity, employment and the environment. 4 million passengers transported each year by La Méridionale, Corsica Linea, and Corsica Ferries (in Toulon), between Corsica and the Continent”.

AIR QUALITY

Clearly, the strength of ports is not just a matter of balance sheets. They are also social and human arteries that irrigate all territories and places of exchange, transit and often human adventures.

« We cannot live without our ports, and our ports cannot endanger our lives. That’s the whole point of what’s going on here. In September 2019, we launched Escales Zéro Fumée together. What tremendous progress since then. Here, in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, we have chosen a method and a timetable. This is why in the Metropolis of Toulon or Nice, and on the influence of the Grand Port Maritime de Marseille, we act in a concerted way around this priority, namely healthy air quality for all our fellow citizens. “, recalled the mayor of La Londe-les-Maures.

As president of the Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur Regional Tourism Committee, but also as national president of ADN Tourisme, François de Canson was therefore pleased with this collective consideration which goes in the direction of living differently. tourism.

“We have an obligation of result! And these are results that we will achieve together “, he concluded.

Photos Alain BLANCHOT.

TO NOTE…

Key construction dates

• Early 2021: Start of works. • 2nd quarter 2021: Relocation of the office and sanitary facilities from the marina. • 3rd quarter 2021: Civil engineering cables in the port enclosure • 2022: Construction of the converter station and installation of jib cranes in the port enclosure which will provide the power necessary to simultaneously supply 3 ferries at the quays and 1 ship of cruise. • June 2022: Enedis sinking and reinforcement of the electrical network for cruise ships. • 4th quarter 2022: Electrical tests. • 1st quarter 2023: Commissioning of the 3 quays for the 2023 season. • 2023: Installation of the photovoltaic shade.

Cost and financing

Cost of platform electrification: €20.3 million

Funding:

• Metropole TPM: €7 M • South Region: €2.3 M • Department: €3.6 M • State: €3.1 M • Europe: €4.3 M

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