• 3 min de lectura
• 3 min de lectura
Virgin Voyages achieved its first European shore power connection after Valiant Lady plugged into Portsmouth International Port's newly commissioned system last week.
The milestone represents the first commercial connection of a cruise vessel to Portsmouth's shore power system. Three of Virgin Voyages' four ships are shore power ready, enabling them to connect and switch off engines where compatible shoreside infrastructure is available.
Portsmouth operates the UK's first multi-berth, multi-user, multi-frequency shore power system, designed to allow multiple vessels to plug in simultaneously.
Jill Stoneberg, senior director of social impact and sustainability at Virgin Voyages, said: "Progress happens when the infrastructure on land and the technology at sea come together, which is exactly what this moment represents. Seeing Valiant Lady connected in Portsmouth turns that ambition into something tangible.
"Shore power is one piece of a much bigger decarbonisation journey and partnerships with forward-thinking ports like Portsmouth are essential to moving that work forward."
Two additional cruise ships tested the system during commissioning, including AIDA Cruises' AIDAsol and Phoenix Risen's Amera. The system is expected to reach full capacity later this year when three ships plug in simultaneously.
Andrew Williamson, head of cruise and ferry at Portsmouth International Port, described the connection with Virgin Voyages as a "major milestone in our shore power journey." He said: "The relationship we have built with Virgin Voyages over the last five years as their UK home port has seen us celebrate many record breaking moments together, and this is another step in aligning our values."
The shore power system received £19.8 million funding from the UK Department for Transport and £4.6 million from Portsmouth City Council. The system is projected to help avoid emissions of around 20,000 tonnes of CO2 from 2027, supporting Portsmouth's goal to become the UK's first emissions-free port by 2050.
Mike Sellers, Portsmouth International Port director, said: "The clean electricity will have a big benefit to air quality in the city and it also helps to future-proof Portsmouth port, aligning us with international moves towards electrification for all of our customers, meaning we can continue to be profitable and provide for essential services in the city."
Valiant Lady plans to connect across all three Portsmouth calls this month, with the port continuing to address cost challenges around electricity pricing to make electrification more attractive for operators.
