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Portsmouth International Port’s ambitious £24 million “Sea Change” project, designed to provide shore power for ships and significantly reduce emissions, is facing an uncertain future. While the system is nearing completion, a delayed grid connection and soaring electricity prices are casting doubt on whether it will ever be fully utilized, potentially rendering the investment a “redundant asset,” according to port officials.
The Sea Change scheme, intended to allow cruise ships and cross-Channel ferries to plug into the national grid while berthed, was initially slated for completion in spring 2025. The aim was to eliminate the need for vessels to run their engines in port, a major source of air pollution. But, the National Grid connection is now delayed until April, and a key potential user, Brittany Ferries, has indicated it will not utilize the system while electricity costs remain prohibitively high.
Currently, electricity is four times more expensive than marine fuel, according to the Press Association. This cost disparity is the primary obstacle to adoption, despite the environmental benefits of shore power – also known as cold ironing – which can contribute to the fight against global warming and improve air quality. The project received £19.8 million from the Department for Transport and £4.6 million from Portsmouth City Council.
Port director Mike Sellers expressed frustration, stating the port is positioned as a “demonstration project for maritime decarbonisation” with a three-year window to showcase the benefits. “Yet there’s a huge risk here this could be a redundant asset,” he said. “We’ve got no guarantee that ships are going to plug in.”
Brittany Ferries Cites Cost Concerns
Brittany Ferries, a major customer of Portsmouth International Port, has two hybrid ships capable of utilizing shore power. However, the company has stated it cannot justify the expense under current electricity prices. “We simply can’t plug in our two hybrid ships if it costs around £2.5m a year more than running engines while alongside in Portsmouth,” a spokesperson for Brittany Ferries said.
Despite the concerns, work to connect ships to the national grid is underway. In November 2024, cables were being laid beneath the port to accommodate vessels of varying sizes, as reported by the BBC. Work began to enable cross-Channel ferries and cruise ships to plug into electricity from ashore, with the aim of reducing pollution and improving air quality across the city.
Government Investment and Emissions Trading Scheme
The UK government has invested nearly £20 million in the Sea Change project, recognizing its potential to improve air quality and facilitate the use of clean shore power. A government spokesperson stated they are “working with [energy regulator] Ofgem exploring measures to make connections faster and easier for customers across the country.”
The government also intends to incorporate the maritime industry into its Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) from July, requiring ships to minimize carbon emissions or fund offsetting measures. However, Mr. Sellers noted that even with the ETS, the cost of using shore power remains higher.
In November 2025, Portsmouth International Port completed a dry run of its novel shore power system with a Brittany Ferries ship, connecting the system but not supplying electricity. This rehearsal was a step towards providing electricity to ships at the port, with the system designed to provide electricity to Brittany Ferries’ LNG-electric hybrid ferries.
Future Outlook and Hybrid Ferries
Brittany Ferries is introducing two new LNG-electric hybrid ferries to Portsmouth, with the first, St Malo, already en route from a shipyard in China and expected to begin service in February. These ferries are capable of running on battery power alone when maneuvering in Portsmouth harbor, further reducing emissions. The Sea Change project aims to facilitate Portsmouth International Port become carbon neutral by 2030, potentially avoiding 20,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually.
The viability of the £24 million shore power system ultimately hinges on a reduction in electricity prices and a commitment from shipping companies to utilize the infrastructure. The coming months, particularly after the National Grid connection is completed in April, will be critical in determining whether Portsmouth’s investment will deliver on its promise of cleaner air and a more sustainable maritime future. The port’s ability to attract ships to use the system will be a key indicator of the project’s success.
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