ABB wins order to deliver shore power at Portsmouth

Portsmouth International Port announced in September that it had secured £19.8m of government funding to install shore power at its three busiest berths.

The system will serve two ferry berths – each with five connection points – which are occasionally used by cruise ships, plus an additional berth used by cruise ships. 

The order was signed in January, with the system due for installation in the fourth quarter of 2024 and expected to be operational by the second quarter of 2025.

Port's ambitions

Portsmouth hopes to be the country’s first zero-emissions port by 2050, according to its technical director, Stephen Watkyns. ‘ABB’s shore connection solution will help support these ambitions. Crucially, for the people of Portsmouth, it will have a hugely positive impact on air quality in the port and surrounding areas,’ he said. 

Scope of supply

ABB’s full scope of supply for the shore connection system comprises a 16-MVA ACS6080 drive with shunt filter, MV switchgear, power-factor compensation, transformers, e-houses, cable management systems, and automation. In addition, ABB will provide installation, cabling and commissioning services, while Portsmouth International Port will benefit from a three-year maintenance agreement.