The installation of the cutting-edge solar and battery system at Portsmouth’s port has passed a final milestone and is now fully operational, according to a statement.

Managed by the in-house energy services and building services teams of Portsmouth City Council installed by Custom Solar and assisted by engineers at the port, the project began with installing roof-mounted solar panels across several buildings, large battery storage, and the first solar canopies at a UK port.

The last piece of the project was finalized in July 2023, where an upgraded connection to the national grid allowed the full potential of the 1.2-megawatt peak system to be realized.

This system, comprised of 2,660 solar panels, provides an impressive 35% of the site’s electricity. With this, the council-owned Portsmouth International Port is one step closer to becoming one of the UK’s first net carbon-neutral ports.

The solar system is complemented by an onsite battery with a capacity of 1.3 megawatt hours, which can power a typical home for four months. It captures renewable energy, which would otherwise be exported to the local electricity network, and redirects it to the port’s buildings when required.

The battery and new solar system work in conjunction with each other, providing balancing services to the national grid and storing power during periods of lower pricing.

Elly Howe, environmental and sustainability coordinator at Portsmouth International Port said: “This huge solar installation and battery storage facility will help the port reach our ambitious sustainability goals. Energy consumption at the port is already down 33% from last year so I’m excited to see what we can achieve in the future.

“Along with our project partners, I’d like also like to thank Brittany Ferries, the port’s biggest customer, for helping to accommodate the work throughout some of the busiest times of the year.”