The current infrastructure reality

Today, the UK’s ports face a paradox. While shipping is the most energy-efficient mode of freight transport, the infrastructure that supports it is struggling to keep pace with the increasing demand for cleaner power. Electricity consumption in ports is set to surge from 20 GWh in 2016 to 250 GWh by 2050, driven by the electrification of ships at berth, cranes, cargo handlers, and support vehicles.

Yet only 8 of the UK’s 32 major ports are expected to have sufficient electrical capacity by 2050. This paints a stark picture: without accelerated investment in grid infrastructure, the UK’s ports risk becoming bottlenecks rather than enablers of sustainable trade.

The call for a strategic transition

The challenges are formidable. Grid constraints, high capital costs for shore power, volatile electricity prices, and inconsistent demand from shipping lines are barriers that require coordinated action. Shore power, while proven to reduce emissions by up to 97% for NOx and 89% for particulates, is still rare in the UK due to the lack of commercial viability without public funding.

Despite this, there is growing momentum. Ports like Southampton, Portsmouth and Aberdeen are pioneering shore power solutions through public-private partnerships, often supported by schemes such as the Zero Emission Vessels and Infrastructure (ZEVI) competition.

What needs to be considered

1. Grid capacity and flexibility

Ports operate near their electrical capacity limits. DNOs are investing billions into grid upgrades and flexibility services, but long-term success requires early engagement and collaborative planning with ports. Innovative approaches like demand side response, local generation, and energy storage must be embedded into future strategies.

2. Investment and commercial models

The cost of installing shore power infrastructure can range from £5 million to £50 million per terminal. Making these investments viable demands creative financing: government incentives, public-private partnerships, and long-term revenue models. Ports must also explore cost-competitive local generation options including solar, wind and even emerging nuclear microreactors. Also, the port may want to connect the shore power infrastructure to their existing network or develop an entirely independent network to meet the requirements and technologies such as renewables, battery storage and active network management could help in developing a most cost-effective solution

3. Regulatory alignment

A coherent regulatory framework is critical. Harmonised standards for shore power infrastructure aligned with International Maritime Organization (IMO) goals are needed to ensure interoperability. The UK must also address industrial electricity pricing, currently among the highest in the developed world, to make electricity a viable marine fuel. Also, the UK needs to place a price on emissions and understand how UK Emission Trading Scheme and IMO emission pricing mechanism could work together to address the carbon reduction requirements.

4. Technology integration

Deploying smart grid and microgrid technologies, energy management systems, and load optimisation tools will be essential for ports to balance fluctuating demands and maximise their grid connections. These tools will also improve operational efficiency while supporting sustainability targets.

5. Operational continuity and stakeholder collaboration

Electrification must not disrupt port operations. Phased rollouts, flexible system design, and strong stakeholder collaboration, particularly with DNOs, can help minimise disruption. Lessons learned from the rollout of EV charging infrastructure highlight the value of early engagement, shared data, and pilot programs.

The road ahead: A shared responsibility

Ports are not isolated entities; they are interconnected hubs in a wider transport and energy ecosystem. As we look to the future, port operators, shipping lines, energy providers, regulators, and government must work together to design and deliver robust, scalable, and future-proof power infrastructure.

Our message to port operators is simple: get ahead of the curve. Engage your DNO early, share your projected energy needs and become active participants in shaping your energy future. The tools, technology and expertise exist but what’s needed now is the collective will to act.

By embracing electrification, ports can continue to serve as engines of economic growth while leading the charge toward a net-zero future. The journey will be complex, but the destination, a cleaner, quieter, and more efficient port system, is well worth the investment.