Vessels making call at the Port of Montreal will be able to use shore power, Transport Canada said.
The Port of Montreal shore power programme cost a total of CAD 11m ($8.6m). The Government of Canada contributed CAD 5m to the shorepower project as part of a CAD 27m grant being made across the country for shore power.
Shore power allows ships to shut down their diesel engines while docked, and connect to an electrical grid supplied by renewable energy sources.
Overall, Canada is targeting a 17% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020.
Transport Canada says shore power eliminates 2,800 tonnes per year of greenhouse gas emission. This represents removing 700 trucks off the road.
Shorepower technology also reduces ship owners' fuel costs which increases the competitiveness of Canadian ports, the agency said.
"By taking action to reduce greenhouse gases and air pollution, we are improving the lives of Canadians while investing in the future of cleaner transportation," said transport minister Marc Garneau.
Montreal, Canada's second busiest port, will become the fifth shore power project across the country.
Other shore power locations include Vancouver Fraser Port Authority's cruise shorepower upgrade and expansion at Canada Place; Seaspan Ferry's Swartz Bay Terminal in British Columbia; the Port of Halifax's shorepower system for cruise ships; and BC Ferry Services, which has 10 shorepower installations and added 2 new connections.
