Shore power connects ships to land-side power networks, so they don’t need to burn fuel oil in their auxiliary engines to produce electricity for onboard use while in port, reducing air pollution. Because UK grid electricity is low-carbon, this also cuts greenhouse gas emissions. Shore power is also an enabling technology for greater use of hybrid/all-electric ships, which need battery recharge. Despite these benefits, poor project economics mean deployment of shore power in the UK is low. The UK Government is considering policies to improve shore power. Tyndall Manchester and Buro Happold research investigates how project economics could be improved, and what role policy has to play, via a case-study at the Port of Aberdeen.
