Significant works have begun to install a pioneering shore power system at Portsmouth International Port, which will enable ships to plug into clean electric power while sitting at berth, for the first time.

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.

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.

Works began this week, 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.  

The project has been funded with £19.8 million from the Department for Transport and £4.6 million from Portsmouth City Council, along with a further £3 million from the council to secure the power necessary for the system. Brittany Ferries, one of the Sea Change project partners, has also made a significant 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.

Alongside the digging of the trench and laying of the cable, complex engineering works will also take place on the three berths where shore power will be provided, with installation of a flexible cable management system that will enable ships of different shapes and sizes to plug in.

Brittany Ferries’ two new ships will launch in the new year, and will both be able to use the system as soon as it is ready. The system will also be able to accommodate any shore-power-ready cruise ship that calls into the city.

As well as improving air quality for Portsmouth residents, Sea Change is projected to help avoid emissions of around 20,000 tonnes of CO2e from 2027.

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