Berths earmarked for shore power at Portsmouth

Under the ‘Sea Change’ project, the company will design, build and operate shore power across three of the port’s busiest berths so that docked vessels can run on electricity rather than diesel.

The Sea Change project is part of the UK government’s Zero Emissions Vessels and Infrastructure (ZEVI) competition.

The installation will serve two ferry berths with five connection points each and a further berth for ferries and cruise ships.

Technical director of the port Stephen Watkyns said the port was aiming to become ‘net zero’ by 2050.

The equipment required for the installation includes a 16-MVA ACS6080 drive with shunt filler to control the power outflow, switchgear, transformers, cable management systems and automation.

ABB’s remit is to supply all of this, plus install and commission the services, as well as maintain it all for three years.

“The bulk of the electricity will be coming from the grid – we’ve secured a 15MVA upgrade to the port gate from SSEN (Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks), following a £3 million (€3.5 million) investment from our owners Portsmouth City Council,” said Gareth Colwell, marketing and communications officer with Portsmouth International Port. “This will be supplemented by on-site generation from our solar panels, and also with smart battery storage.

“In future we’d certainly like to introduce more shore power across the remaining berths (ro-ro berths 1 and 5, and the 2 conventional berths at Portico next door), this is a long term ambition though and is dependent on more capacity and funding becoming available. Berths 2,3 and 4 are our busiest so it will allow us to cover off the majority of our traffic.”

“Since 2000, ABB has delivered technology to more than 35 shoreside shore connection projects in Europe, worldwide for about 80 projects,” said Heli Harri, media relations & content manager at ABB Marine & Ports. “ABB offers comprehensive shore connection solutions both onshore and onboard vessels to support maritime decarbonization.”