Clean energy upgrades being made at the Port of Anacortes

The Port of Anacortes is moving forward with a clean energy infrastructure project at Cap Sante Marina's A-Dock that will expand shore power capacity and support electric vessel operations. The initiative is part of broader efforts to modernize the port's working waterfront while advancing economic development and environmental objectives.

The upgraded electrical infrastructure will serve commercial tenants such as Arrow Launch Service, a Green Marine-certified participant that has two new zero-emission vessels under construction that are expected to operate from A-Dock. Once in service, the vessels will use the upgraded shore power system for charging between assignments while continuing to move people between ships, tugs, and assigned anchorages.

The project forms part of the port's capital improvement plan and has progressed through much of the development stage. Design work is nearing completion and permitting has already been secured. To maintain the project schedule, the Port Commission has authorized the procurement of long-lead construction materials ahead of the main construction phase. The port expects to seek construction bids by this fall, with substantial completion anticipated by next spring.

Public funding is playing a significant role in the initiative with more than $1.7 million in grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Washington State Department of Transportation supporting the infrastructure upgrades. The EPA contribution is part of a larger Clean Ports initiative focused on advancing zero-emission equipment, infrastructure investments and clean air planning within the local maritime sector.

_{Photo: Port of Anacortes}