Portsmouth International Port has launched the first high-voltage, multi-berth shore power system in the UK. The facility allows docked ships to connect to the power grid and shut down their onboard diesel generators to reduce air pollution.
Despite the goal of achieving net-zero emissions, the project faces economic challenges. Electricity costs account for 80–85% of the total expense for vessels using the system, making it more expensive than running onboard generators.
Portsmouth expects a 10% year-on-year increase in Transmission Network Use of System charges over the next five years. Furthermore, UK electricity prices were 18% higher than the EU average in the second half of 2025.
The International Energy Agency reports that electricity prices for energy-intensive industries in the EU are more than double those in the US. This price disparity complicates the adoption of shore power in the UK compared to other regions.
