The Port Commission of The Port of Houston Authority awarded a contract for an electrical installation and approved the advertisement and receipt of proposals for the purchase of deregulated electric power portwide including renewable energy.

Commissioners awarded a construction contract to Houston-based Dashiell LLC, for 138kV substation expansion at Bayport Container Terminal for $2.2 million. The 138kV substation is an electrical installation that transforms high voltage from CenterPoint to a lower voltage that can be utilized by cranes, buildings and other equipment at Bayport.

The expansion is needed because the electrical power consumption of the wharf cranes is higher than originally estimated at the start of Bayport development. Periodic electrical dredging is anticipated, which will increase electricity consumption. The Phase One, Stage Two Container Yard, to be completed in the second quarter of 2010, will need additional power as well. Finally, three new ship-to-shore wharf cranes arriving in the first quarter 2010 will need power.

The commission approved advertising and receipt of proposals for the purchase of deregulated electric power portwide for one to three years, depending on the electric service rates available for the time periods. Proposals should include a percentage of “green” or renewable, environmentally friendly energy, such as wind- or solar-powered. Cost is estimated at $6.6 million a year or up to $19.8 million for a three-year period.