Portsmouth International Port has taken a big step towards reducing air pollution caused by idle marine engines with the launch of the UK’s first multi-berth, high-voltage coastal power system that allows berthed ships to connect to the electricity grid and switch off their onboard generators. In theory, coastal energy reduces emissions and slashes fuel costs.
The reality is something different.
Like the Port of Long Beach, the Port of New York and New Jersey, and JFK’s Terminal One project, Portsmouth International Port’s ambition is to become a true net-zero facility that improves local air quality while helping to enable broader decarbonization of shipping as a whole. Coastal power is critical to that goal, allowing ships to turn off their onboard generators backed by internal combustion engines by connecting them to the grid.
The only problem is that, despite rapidly rising fuel and oil prices, the UK has managed to build a coastal energy solution that is more expensive than running generators.
How f@#%? that above!?
Almost every article, case study and white paper out there has shown a dramatic improvement in the total cost of ownership (TCO) of electric port equipment such as cranes, material handlers, terminal trucks and even locomotives compared to their diesel-powered equivalents, and hybrid-electric ships are also proving cheaper, in some use cases. So how did this project go so wrong?
The answer is not that Portsmouth made a mistake. It is a question of politics.
However, the economy remains a challenge. Currently, electricity accounts for around 80% to 85% of the total cost paid for a ship using land-based power, while port charges account for only 15% to 20%. As electricity prices remain high, connecting to the power grid on shore may be more expensive than generating electricity on board.
The pressure is compounded by rising network-related costs. Portsmouth faces an estimated 10% year-on-year increase in Transmission Network System (TNUoS) usage charges over the next five years, which will add extra costs to an already expensive system.
SECURITY4SEA
In other words: electricity in the UK is expensive. As, In fact expensive.
The UK’s own House of Commons Library says electricity prices were 18% above the EU average in the second half of 2025, while the International Energy Agency found that electricity prices for energy-intensive industries across the EU averaged more than double (!) those in the US.
That’s important because coastal energy typically only promises access to electricity, but access itself doesn’t automatically make grid kilowatts cheaper than fuel oil. And, in the UK, that means the economics of electrification seen almost everywhere else have been completely turned upside down.
‘Kill me
Here in the United States the situation is better. The US-UK electricity price gap is just one reason why the economics of EVs look very different on this side of the pond, and the rapid expansion of US wind and solar power supply, which is so cheap it’s actually a problem, further makes the case for electrification as a tool to reduce pollution and drive down prices in the short and long term.
All of which means that November is coming, kids. Vote like it’s your life and your grocery bill will depend on the result.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:
If you’re thinking about going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from some installers. To ensure you find a trustworthy and reliable solar installer near you offering competitive prices, check out energywisea free service that makes it easy for you to use solar energy. They have hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use and you won’t receive sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.
Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll have access to unbiased energy advisors to help you every step of the way. Start here.
FTC: We use automatic affiliate links that generate income. Further.
