Portsmouth shore power system enters full operation after testing

The UK’s Portsmouth International Port has announced that its shore power system is now fully operational following the successful completion of final testing.

IMAGE: Ships connected to shore power at Portsmouth port. Portsmouth International Port

Shore power-capable ferries and cruise ships can now connect to the system and draw electricity at three of the port’s five berths. It is the UK's first shore power system capable of serving multiple berths, multiple users with multiple electrical frequencies, according to the port authority.

During the testing phase, Brittany Ferries' St Malo and Guillaume de Normandie connected to the system. AIDA Cruises' AIDAsol became the first cruise ship to plug in during the commissioning process, followed by Phoenix Reisen's Amera.

The system is expected to reach its full operational capability later this year, when it will be able to supply shore power to three ships simultaneously.

The project received £19.8 million (around $26 million) in funding from the UK's Department for Transport (DfT), along with £4.6 million (approximately $6 million) from Portsmouth City Council.

By Tuhin Roy

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