Portsmouth International Port’s plans to become the most sustainable port in the United Kingdom take a step closer to being fully shore power ready by 2025.
The Port is officially on track to become the leading shore power port in the UK, following confirmation it will accept an offer from SSEN (Scottish and Southern Energy Network) to secure an extra power supply.
In under 2 years, the port will able to support multiple vessels that have the capacity to plug in when they are alongside the berth, thus reducing harmful emissions from running engines/meeting net carbon neutral ambitions ahead of the 2030 target of the government.
The extra capacity from SSEN is to provide an initial 15 MVA (Mega-Volt Amp) supply, which commences the process of providing shore power through to the berths where the cruise ships can plug in. The installation will be finished by 2025, in time for the major customer Brittany Ferries, who has a couple of new hybrid ships which are expected to operate from Portsmouth the same year.
Portsmouth International Port is also expecting a minimum of 100 shore power-ready cruise ship calls by 2026. By 2030 there is an expectation from the industry trade body CLIA all cruise ships will have to be shore power compliant.
From the largest installation of Solar PV canopies in a port found in the UK, being home to energy prototypes, and a carbon-neutral terminal extension, Portsmouth Port is leading the way in sustainable innovation. The extra capacity power from SSEN will cost ~GBP 3 million to secure, with further funds required to finish the whole shore power process.