Port of Tallinn: decisive step towards shore power

Port of Tallinn, Estonia will invest in shore power facilities for cruise ships at Old City Harbour. This autumn, construction will begin on a new 110/10 kV substation near the Cruise Terminal. The substation is the first stage and a key prerequisite for establishing shore power connections for cruise vessels, enabling ships in the future to connect to the local electricity grid while at berth instead of using auxiliary engines.
The investment is part of the PoTOPS project - Port of Tallinn Onshore Power Supply - co-funded by the EU Connecting Europe Facility. The project aims to provide shore power capability for cruise ships at two quays in Old City Harbour by 2030.
Once completed, the facilities will help reduce emissions and noise from cruise ships at berth and strengthen Tallinn's position as a sustainable cruise destination in the Baltic Sea region.
The substation project has already been recognised as Estonia's first BIMbased building permit project and was awarded the title of Innovation Project of the Year 2025, highlighting Port of Tallinn's role in advancing digital construction and innovative infrastructure development.