Portsmouth International Port set to offer shore power to cruise ships

The port authority expects at least 100 shore power cruise calls by 2026.

PHOTO: Aerial view of Portsmouth port. Portsmouth International Port

Within two years, multiple ships will be able to use the shore power facility alongside the berth in Portsmouth, reducing emissions from vessels’ engines. The port started providing shore power to tugboats in November of last year and aims to supply larger vessels.

The port authority will accept an offer from the UK’s electricity transmission and distribution firm Scottish and Southern Energy Network (SSEN) to secure extra power.

The installation is expected to be complete by 2025 and coincide with the launch of Brittany Ferries' two new hybrid vessels to operate from Portsmouth.

The port aims to become the UK’s first carbon-neutral port.

“The industry expects ports to provide shore power facilities by 2030 and this means we’re ahead of target. In fact, we would become the most advanced UK port to provide a fully operational multi berth, multi user shore power system,” Portsmouth International Port’s director Mike Sellers says.

Also, the port is working on a solar photovoltaic installation and a battery-based energy storage system for storing renewable solar power.

By Shilpa Sharma

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