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Sea Change shore power

Ships at the three busiest berths can connect to shore electricity and turn off engines while berthed.

ProposedApprovedUnder wayCompleted
Last evidenced stage
Completed as of 17 October 2026. The council-owned port describes the project as live and working and publishes a September 2026 white paper.
Who owns it
Portsmouth International Port and its project partners
Next decision or milestone
Publish actual connected calls, electricity use and emissions results.
Funding
  • £19,800,000 · Department for Transport (Grant towards shore power)
  • £4,600,000 · Portsmouth City Council (Council contribution)
  • £3,000,000 · Portsmouth City Council (Separate payment to secure grid power; not part of the £24.4m construction subtotal)
  • £19,800,000 · Department for Transport (zero-emission vessels competition) (Construction grant)
  • £4,600,000 · Portsmouth City Council (Construction contribution)
  • £3,000,000 · Portsmouth City Council (Separate payment to secure grid power)

Earlier retained figure, not reconciled with the lines above: Government-funded demonstration project; no project-specific total reverified in this review. It is kept out of any total until its scope and date are matched.

Delivery vs outcome
Outcome evidence: Operational system evidenced. The forecast of over 20,000 tonnes of carbon savings annually from 2027 remains a forecast. An open building or working installation is delivery evidence; use, emissions or effects are outcome evidence and are reported separately.
Where
Portsmouth International Port · Linked wards: Nelson

Port-site association; individual berths have not been separately overlaid. Project effects extend beyond this ward.

Dated records

  1. 2026-07-24 output Ferries and cruise ships began plugging into the port’s shore power system; three ships at once was expected later in 2026. source ↗

Sources