Norwegian ferry operator Norled has contracted Norwegian Electric Systems (NES) to deliver three onshore charging stations that will be used at three ports in northern Norway.
Onshore charging stations
The charging stations will be installed at the ports of Stokkvågen, Lovund and Træna. Under the contract, NES will supply three complete containerized onshore charging stations, including transformers, switchboards, control system and data collection system. Alongside this, the company will deliver an e-house with a connection to the onshore power grid.
NES will also provide the charging plug that connects the charging stations to the three new-build battery-hybrid ferries. The 4MW DC charging stations are based on a megawatt charging system (MCS), including a proprietary charging connector type, which is normally used for large electric vehicles such as trucks and buses. The MSC solution includes water cooling of power, electronics, cables and sockets. The charging stations will be delivered toward the end of 2026.
New-build ferries
Norled will operate the Stokkvågen-Lovund and Stokkvågen-Træna ferry routes with three new-build battery-hybrid ferries and one conventional ferry from 2027 onward. The new-build ferries will be constructed at Norwegian shipyard Tersan Leirvik. In May 2024, NES was awarded a Nkr200m (US$19.3m) contract by Tersan Leirvik to provide equipment deliveries to the ferries, including power solution, battery pack and navigation system.
“We look forward to the delivery of the charging stations from NES, which is essential for operating the hybrid-electric ferries that will cut emissions by up to 80%,” said Steffan Lindsø, chief technology officer (CTO) at Norled.
Mads Ulstein, senior vice president of sales at NES, commented, “With the delivery of these three charging stations, we will have built up a solid track record of 30 onshore charging stations. We are very pleased that Norled has opted for our MCS solution, which is a manual, quick and cost-efficient method for connecting high charging effects. Quick charging is ideal for passenger and transport ferries such as these.”
Siv Remøy-Vangen, managing director of NES, added, “To be able to support Tersan Leirvik and Norled, respectively, on this project is something we are proud of. Substantial equipment delivered to the four ferries, coupled with onshore charging stations, underline our position as a complete supplier of electrification solutions to the maritime industry.”
In related news, Innovation Norway and Team Norway have signed two agreements aimed at advancing sustainable maritime solutions. Click here to read the full story.