Twenty-five years ago, Princess Cruises became the first cruise line to connect one of its ships to the hydroelectric power grid at the Port of Juneau. Today, that pioneering partnership continues to serve as a model for ports around the world, generating lasting benefits for both the environment and the local community.
Since 2001, Princess Cruises, the City and Municipality of Juneau, and Alaska Electric Light & Power (AEL&P) have worked together to connect cruise ships to Juneau’s local hydroelectric power grid. As a result, ships can shut down their engines while docked, significantly reducing their emissions. What began as a groundbreaking initiative has become a global best practice, inspiring the implementation of shore power systems in 41 cruise ports around the world.
Key Figures
- 25 years of operations using an electrical ground connection in Juneau.
- First shipping company to connect to Juneau's electrical grid (2001).
- Nearly 60 years sailing in Alaska.
- 1,725 connections were made to the port's electrical system.
- 123,668,490 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of hydroelectric power consumed.
- 84,533.60 metric metric tons of emissions avoided.
- $11,242,400 in grants from the Community Partnership (COPA) program, intended to benefit the Juneau community.
Gus Antorcha, president of Princess Cruises, said: “For 25 years, our partnership with the City and Municipality of Juneau and Alaska Electric Light & Power has demonstrated just how much is possible when industry, government, and local communities work together toward a common goal. Together, we have helped develop technology that has transformed cruise operations worldwide, while delivering significant environmental and community benefits for Alaska. Protecting the destinations our guests enjoy exploring has always been part of who we are, and we are proud to continue building on that legacy. As we celebrate this important anniversary, we remain committed to continuing to invest in innovations that support the future of cruising in the Great Land.”
The creation of the first shore power system for cruise ships in Juneau required vision, innovation, and an unprecedented level of collaboration. Connecting large cruise ships to the city’s small and isolated hydroelectric grid posed a major technical challenge that is still considered a remarkable feat of engineering. Today, there are 41 ports worldwide equipped with this type of facility.
Over the past 25 years, this partnership has helped reduce ship emissions while in port, improve air quality, and establish Juneau as one of the world’s leading examples of the successful implementation of shore power systems.
Beth Weldon, mayor of the City and Municipality of Juneau, said, “We remain proud to be the port that spearheaded this technology and of the public-private partnership that made this project possible. It is an excellent example of how different stakeholders can come together to develop pioneering initiatives, and we look forward to continuing to collaborate on new opportunities to expand Juneau’s shore power infrastructure.”
Princess Cruises has been sailing in Alaska for nearly six decades and remains committed to helping preserve the state's extraordinary natural beauty, while supporting the communities that welcome its passengers.
Currently, Princess Cruises ships continue to connect to Juneau’s power grid whenever it is available, using locally generated hydroelectric power while in port. In addition, the cruise line continues to invest in new technologies and operational practices aimed at improving energy efficiency and reducing emissions across its entire fleet.
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