A consortium comprising marine solutions provider ABB, construction company Eiffage Construction and electrical installation company Fauché has reportedly completed the commissioning of France’s largest-ever shore power solution for ships.
Enabling technologies
Operational since February 13, 2025, the installation at the Port of Toulon is now in its final acceptance period. The facility offers connections at 11kV and 6.6kV voltage levels and frequencies of 50Hz or 60Hz, supporting cruise and ferry formats. It can support port calls by three ferries simultaneously, or one cruise ship. In addition, the port is equipped with the necessary technology to connect a 1MW hydrogen fuel cell system. According to the partners, this is the only operational solution in France capable of simultaneously supplying multiple vessels – ferries and cruise ships alike – from a single conversion station, thanks to a digitalized smart grid network architecture.
ABB delivered a comprehensive scope of equipment, including battery energy storage and solar panel integration, as well as full engineering project management. The system designed by the Toulon Provence Méditerranée Metropolis integrates ABB equipment that can store energy ashore, helping to smooth out peak energy demand from vessels and balancing loads dynamically. This helps the system work with emerging renewable energy sources, with solar power and batteries already integrated, and optimize the cost of energy delivered from the 20kV Enedis grid line
Local sustainable goals
The shore connection system, developed and led by the metropolis and implemented by ABB, means ships can turn off their diesel generators in port, supporting the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) targets for shipping to achieve net zero emissions by or around 2050. At the beginning of May 2025, the Mediterranean became the fifth IMO Emission Control Area for sulfur oxides and particulate matter, which means that ships operating in the area will be required to use marine fuel with reduced sulfur content.
The Port of Toulon handles around 1,500 calls from ferries, cruise vessels and cargo vessels annually. With shore power available, the city will be able to significantly reduce carbon, SOX and NOX emissions and noise at berth. In addition, shipowners will save on fuel costs. The Toulon project is a key part of regional ‘Zero-smoke stopovers’ plans for Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (Région Sud PACA), which also include shore power for Marseille and Nice.
“Technically innovative, this project introduces a new smart grid network architecture using digital technology to manage energy flows from multiple interconnected sources,” said Frédéric Mestivier, designer and technical director of the electrification project for the Métropole Toulon Provence Méditerranée. “The infrastructure maximizes overall energy efficiency while minimizing the carbon footprint.”
“The delivery of this project is an important milestone for Toulon Provence Méditerranée Metropolis as a leading Mediterranean port to provide shore power across all of its docks,” said Jean-Pierre Giran, president of the Toulon Provence Méditerranée Metropolis. “Located in the heart of the city, the port plays a central role in the business community and in the lives of our residents. With the support of our co-funders and partners – the European Union, the French state, the Sud PACA region, the Departmental Council and ADEME – we are eliminating over 80% of polluting emissions, saving 9,000 hours of diesel operation per year and significantly reducing noise and vibrations. The reduction in sulfur emissions alone will be equivalent to those produced by 50,000 cars annually.”
“It has been an honor to contribute to Port of Toulon’s success in leading this innovative installation,” said Marcus Martelin, service line manager for decarbonization services at ABB Marine & Ports. “This can be regarded as a milestone and a model example for all ports in the Mediterranean and globally. ABB’s shore power solution has established itself as one of the key technologies that continue to drive decarbonization in shipping.”
