The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) will execute directly and indirectly through private initiative half a dozen works budgeted at about 19 million euros in the port of Ibiza and Formentera. port of Ibiza19 million in the port of Ibiza, coinciding with the low season and with the intention of interfering as little as possible in the summer campaign. As announced, the common objective of these actions, which will begin shortly, is to “minimize the environmental impact on port activity, following the environmental strategy of the APB“. In this way, the aim is to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, reduce carbon emissions and offer a sustainable alternative for energy generation. On November 4, work will begin on the adaptation of the road of the West Bank of the port of Ibiza. This action involves the integration of the Santa Eulària avenue from the Formentera maritime station to the APB offices. In order not to interfere with the works, several temporary detours will be set up for pedestrians as a safety measure. The aim of the adaptation works, which will take eight months, is to improve the accessibility of the area and pacify the traffic of motor vehicles. Thus, a new bike lane will be built, which will connect with the existing one in the area of the platforms of the port of Ibiza. It will also include a pedestrian sidewalk and a parterre separating the pedestrian area from the bicycle lane. In addition, a new landscaped and tree-lined area will be created, LED lighting equipment will be installed and new street furniture will be added. The project is part of the APB’s strategic line of integrating the port into the city, to turn it into an open space for citizens. To execute it, the port agency signed an agreement with the Ibiza City Council, since part of the works will be carried out on municipal land. The total budget for the works is 1.2 million euros excluding VAT. Of this, 140,000 euros (VAT included) correspond to the actions carried out in the municipal area. The works have been awarded to the company Hermanos Parrot SA.
Improvement to the passage
November will also see the start of the installation of new escalators at the Botafoc docks, the replacement of the existing ones, as well as the installation of a new Adequacy of fixed gangways for passenger embarkation and disembarkation.
These actions, with a budget of 2.6 million euros, are carried out to improve the comfort and safety conditions for passengers, as well as to renew those elements affected by the deterioration of the marine environment. Thus, two new escalators (one up and one down) will be installed at the end of the fixed gangway near the Botafoc dock, the replacement of the four existing ones and the installation of a new elevator. The project also includes covering all flights of stairs with canopies to protect them from the elements. The canopies and handrails will also be replaced and the pavement of the fixed walkways will be cleaned up, as they have deteriorated due to their proximity to the sea. The works have been awarded to the company Valor Infraestructura, will last seven months and will be carried out in sections, since port operations will be maintained on the docks at all times.
Energy efficiency
Another major action that the APB will soon start in the port of Ibiza is the improvement of the energy efficiency of public lighting, with a budget of 1 .5 million eurosfinanced by the European Union through the funds Next Generation.
The new installation will improve lighting levels with energy-saving light points and reduce the number of control panels, cutting electricity bill costs by more than half. It will also contribute to sustainability and environmental protection by reducing energy consumption and minimizing light pollution. The intervention will be carried out both in restricted access areas and in spaces open to the public which, for reasons of use and safety, require different levels of lighting. The works have been awarded to the company Vilor Infraestructuras, S.L., will be carried out over the next nine months and will directly employ 25 people.
Electrical grounding
On the private side, IGY Ibiza Marina, awarded the management of large yacht moorings in the Levante basin of the port of Ibiza, will undertake an action for the electrical grounding for boats.
This is an investment of 4.2 million euros, conditional on the investment offer committed to the APB for the eight-year concession period. This improvement will allow the yachts to turn off their engines while moored, with the consequent reduction of air and noise pollution. The project also includes the refurbishment of the first floor of the Martell building, as well as the repair of the Dukes of Alba walkways attached to the breakwater or Muro of the port of Ibiza. According to data provided by IGY Ibiza Marina, the work is estimated to last eight months and will directly employ 55 people. While the GVA and the resulting total socioeconomic impact generated between 2025 and 2033 by the activity of the concessionaire has been estimated at 30.4 million euros (3.3 million per year), it will generate direct employment for 15 people and indirect and induced employment for more than 300 people.
Renewable energy and sustainability
In addition to these works, which are about to start, the APB is planning in the coming months other interventions aimed at the use of renewable energies such as the reduction of gas emissions to the atmosphere.
In this regard, the works for the installation of the first two electrical shore connection points for ships at the Botafocco docks are about to be awarded for 6 million euros. electrical shore connection points for ships at the Botafoc docks, which will allow the ferries to turn off their engines and use electricity which will allow ferries to turn off their engines and use electricity from the grid while docked, reducing polluting gas emissions and noise in the ports. On the other hand, the APB will launch a pilot project, in collaboration with Puertos del Estado and with a budget of 2 million, of a wave energy installation in the port of Eivissa to use the energy from the movement of the waves to generate electricity. This is a renewable source that takes advantage of the natural resource without depleting marine ecosystems. Finally, already in early 2025, the APB will proceed to the installation of pergolas with photovoltaic panels in the parking lot of the Botafoc docks, with an estimated budget of one million euros and with the aim of taking advantage of the awnings to shade vehicles to install panels to generate clean electricity from direct CO₂ emissions.
