Net Zero Marine(NZM) has completed the largest coastal power facility on the River Thames, with a capacity of 0.55 MW of power and no subsidies mentioned.
The coastal electrical installation on the Thames River
Located at Denton Wharf and developed in collaboration with towage service provider Svitzer, the new infrastructure will supply clean energy to the company’s tugboats operating from the wharf. This measure is aligned with the UK’s decarbonization targets and will contribute to reducing more than 280 tons of CO2 per year.
Unlike other similar projects, the installation has been financed without government support, making it one of the largest self-financed port electrification initiatives in the country. The system uses 100% renewable energy supplied by TotalEnergies, ensuring emission-free port operations.
NZM emphasizes that its objective is to improve air quality in port areas. port areas and expand this technology to other key points of the British territory. For its part, Svitzer reinforces with this action its commitment to carbon neutrality by 2040.
This facility will also serve as a charging point for the first electric tug in Svitzer’s UK fleet, which began operations in 2025. This new vessel is expected to reduce between 600 and 900 tons of CO2 per year compared to conventional units.
The joint action by NZM and Svitzer sets a precedent in the use of electric power technologies for maritime operations, while reinforcing the guidelines of the UK Department for Transport’s Maritime Decarbonization Strategy.
The project reflects a structural change in the way port operations are aligned with today’s climate challenges. The supply of shore-side energy to docked ships, also known as “cold ironing,” contributes significantly to improving local air quality and reducing emissions of polluting gases.
Source and photo: Net Zero Marine
