PINS project bursts UK shore power bubble

The UK is taking a significant step towards decarbonising its maritime sector with the launch of the Port Infrastructure using Novel energy Storage project (PINS). Funded under the UK Government’s Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) programme, PINS aims to make shore power and vessel recharging at ports commercially viable, even where local grid capacity is limited.

Traditional shore power solutions often require substantial grid upgrades, which are expensive and slow to deliver. PINS addresses these challenges through on-site battery energy storage systems (BESS) combined with smart energy management technologies. This approach allows ports to electrify vessels without costly civil works or upstream reinforcement, offering a path to sustainable, future-proof port operations.

Three UK ports to pilot battery applications

The project begins with three pilot ports, each selected to represent different operational and technical challenges, although all three have a heavy dependence on ferry traffic.

• Cowes, Isle of Wight: Situated on the Solent, Cowes is a hub for commuter and leisure ferries. PINS will test shore-side recharging systems for smaller electric ferries and hybrid vessels operating frequent short routes. The pilot aims to demonstrate how local energy storage can manage high power demand during peak ferry schedules without overloading the local grid.
• Portsmouth: One of the UK’s busiest cross-channel ferry ports, Portsmouth faces high seasonal loads and complex vessel schedules. Here, PINS will integrate battery storage to supplement the existing SeaChange shore power installation, enabling ferries to plug in rapidly and reliably while smoothing demand on the wider electrical network. This pilot will also explore potential synergies with port-wide energy management, including on-site renewable generation.
• Falmouth, Cornwall: Falmouth is a smaller, more remote port with limited grid infrastructure. The pilot will focus on electric passenger ferries operating on standard 415V AC systems. By using modular energy storage, PINS can demonstrate that even ports with constrained grids can support electrified vessels, providing a blueprint for smaller international harbours facing similar challenges.

PINS technology and future proofing

The UK Government took the opportunity of the recent London International Shipping Week to reannounce the overall UK SHORE initiative (UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions), from which funds are drawn for PINS. “[This] £1.1 billion boost for the maritime industry will supercharge growth and jobs in our coastal towns and cities, making the UK one of the best places in the world to invest,” said Heidi Alexander, the Transport Secretary. “We’re committing almost half a billion to cut carbon emissions from shipping. [That’s] steering us towards net zero by 2050 and cementing Britain’s place as a clean energy superpower.”

PINS is not only focused on solving today’s challenges but also on future-proofing port infrastructure. The project will evaluate a range of battery technologies, including Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP), re-used Lithium-ion cells, sodium-ion batteries, and soluble lead flow batteries, ensuring that ports can adopt next-generation storage solutions as they become commercially available. Alternative power transfer methods, including automated wireless charging and megawatt-scale connectors, are also under consideration. Together, these innovations allow ports to manage fluctuating demand, enable load-shifting, and integrate renewable generation—all while maintaining flexibility for future vessel designs and charging requirements.

UK SHORE programme has global significance

The PINS project is part of the UK SHORE programme, which funds over 200 clean maritime technology projects across the UK. Launched in 2022, the initiative aims to accelerate the transition to net-zero shipping, leveraging private investment alongside public funds to make decarbonisation commercially viable and globally competitive.

While PINS starts with relatively small pilots, its approach is highly scalable. By demonstrating modular, battery-backed shore power solutions, the project could become a model for ports worldwide, from congested European ferry hubs to grid-constrained tropical ports. If successful, PINS could transform how ports electrify shipping, making zero-emission operations viable even without major grid reinforcement—a significant step forward in global maritime decarbonisation.