UK Power Networks Unveils Plan to Power Vessels on the Thames

UK Power Networks, in partnership with LCP Delta, Marine Zero, EV.energy, and the Port of London Authority, is preparing to take its Electric Thames initiative far beyond the capital. It envisions a future where clean, electric-powered vessels become the norm across the UK’s entire maritime sector.

Launched initially to support decarbonisation along the River Thames, the Electric Thames project isn’t just about switching diesel engines for batteries. It’s about rethinking the energy flow in water. The initiative provides vessel operators with clear, practical, and financially viable pathways to adopt low-emission technologies.

A standout innovation? Vessel-to-grid (V2G) integration—a concept where electric boats don’t just consume power, but also store and return it. When moored, these boats could feed electricity back into the grid, acting as floating batteries that relieve pressure during peak demand hours and cutting energy costs.

To understand the current energy footprint, the team analysed tracking data from 62 of the 180 commercial vessels regularly navigating the Thames. The results were eye-opening:

 → These vessels collectively consume 38 gigawatt-hours (GWh) annually—the same as burning 10 million litres of diesel, emitting 27,200 metric tons of CO₂.

This data isn’t just academic; it’s foundational. It helps UK Power Networks plan the infrastructure upgrades necessary for electrification in London and future rollouts across the UK.

The vision isn’t limited to boats. The Electric Thames team also evaluated 21 riverside locations that could serve as vessel charging hubs. These strategically selected sites could unlock cleaner energy access for commercial shipping, tourism, and river-based transit, all while enhancing local economies.

The project, delivered in collaboration with Innovate UK, supports the Strategic Innovation Fund, a forward-looking initiative from Ofgem. It represents not just a technological shift but a systemic one aimed at accelerating the UK’s progress toward its net-zero emissions targets.

Luca Grella, head of Innovation at UK Power Networks, said, “The River Thames has always been a vital lifeline for the capital, and now, as we look to decarbonise our world, we have a chance to transform the maritime sector. The work being done to integrate electric vessels with technologies like vessel-to-grid is a major step forward, offering new ways to balance the grid and deliver cleaner, more efficient energy. With promising early results and the backing of key partners, we believe Electric Thames is setting the stage for a sustainable, resilient energy future that will benefit both the maritime industry and the wider community.”

Andy Hurley, operations director at Marine Zero, said, “Vessel and site operators have been incredibly engaged and very keen to support this important project. Thanks to the operational intelligence Thames operators have given us access to, alongside working with an innovative energy network like UK Power Networks, we have been able to undertake a wide-scale energy and power analysis.

“That, in turn, has allowed us to build informed models and financial projections that reflect real-world conditions and constraints. This data-driven approach has optimised our decision-making process and strengthened stakeholder confidence in our implementation strategy.”