Solar and Wind To Help Power Highland Ferries

6th November 2011

The Highland Council welcomes award of contract for world's first low-emission hybrid ferries.

The Highland Council has welcomed the award of preferred bidder status to Ferguson Shipbuilders, Port Glasgow, for the contract to build the world's first two sea going Roll On Roll Off vehicle and passenger diesel electric hybrid ferries.

The first of these innovative new ferries will operate between Sconser on Skye and the Island of Raasay and the Council is preparing for a major upgrade of quayside facilities at Sconsor to accommodate the new vessel and provide additional parking spaces.

Councillor John Laing, Chairman of the Council's Transport Environmental and Community Services Committee, said: "The award of preferred bidder status is an important milestone in the introduction of these modern ferries. We welcome this step change in ferry technology, which is environmentally friendly and paves the way for a bright new future for the Highlands and Islands and connectivity to the islands."

Ferguson will be working alongside Glasgow based ship design specialists Seatec and electrical specialists Tec-Source to deliver the project.

The ferries, which will be operated by the current operator of the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services, CalMac Ferries, are designed for use on many of the short crossing routes around the Clyde and Hebrides and will use some of the most innovative new 'green' technology, including battery banks supplying a minimum of 20% of the energy consumed on board.

The vessel will be powered by small diesel generator sets, feeding power to a 400 volt switchboard, which will supply power to electric propulsion motors that turn the propellers. In addition the battery banks will provide power to operate the vessel.

Benefits of the hybrid ferries include reduced fuel consumption and impact of CO2 emission and other pollutants, noise reduction and lower maintenance requirements.

The ferries will charge overnight while they are moored on the islands they will serve and it is hoped that in the future energy from local wind, wave or solar systems will be used to charge the batteries, making the process even more environmentally friendly.

It is anticipated that the first vessel will enter service in late spring/early summer 2013, with the second following six months later.