Works began to install a shore power system at Portsmouth International Port, enabling ships to plug into clean electric power while sitting at berth.
Works have begun at Portsmouth Port, starting with the digging of a trench to lay a 600-metre, 33-kilovolt cable underneath the port’s car lanes to connect the system to the electricity supply.
The system will utilise an extra 15MVA (megavolt amps) capacity secured by the port from Scottish and Southern Energy in 2023, which is all generated from clean, renewable sources.
Furthermore, up to three ships will be able to plug in at once when the system goes live from spring next year, meaning they can switch off their engines while alongside and operate under battery power when entering and exiting Portsmouth harbour.
The Sea Change project is thought to be the first in the UK that will allow multiple ships to plug into a system that provides multiple electrical frequencies at the same time.
The project includes a consortium of organizations, including Brittany Ferries, and is supported by over £80 million in government funding allocated to 10 flagship projects focused on clean maritime solutions.
Moreover, the project has been funded with £19.8 million from the Department for Transport. In adittion, £4.6 million from Portsmouth City Council, along with a further £3 million from the council have been poured into the project to secure the power necessary for the system.
Brittany Ferries, one of the Sea Change project partners, has also made an investment of €550 million to renew five vessels in the fleet, including two new Portsmouth-based LNG-electric hybrid ferries, and will be the main customer using the shore power system.
The shore power system will have the potential to help the port avoid 20,000 tonnes of carbon emissions per year from 2027, and importantly, improve air quality for Portsmouth residents.
…said Cllr Kimberly Barrett, Portsmouth City Council Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Greening the City.
Sea Change is projected to help avoid emissions of around 20,000 tonnes of CO2e from 2027 as well as improving air quality for Portsmouth residents. The system will also be able to accommodate any shore-power-ready cruise ship that calls into the city.
