Installation began in February 2022 and incorporates roof-mounted solar panels, a large battery and solar canopies.
A total of 888 solar panels, mounted on rooftops around the port, have now been switched on, generating 400kWp of renewable energy that can be used to reduce consumption at the port, or can be exported back to the grid.
The figure represents a third of the total number of solar panels installed at the port over the past year by specialist contractor Custom Solar.
Once all 2,660 panels are switched on, the power produced will contribute around 35% of the port's energy needs.
The port is the first in the UK to have solar canopies, and recently won the 'Commercial Solar and/or Storage Project of the Year' award at Solar & Storage Live 2022 Awards.
The system will also include a 1.5 megawatt hour battery, enough to run a typical home for four months, storing power that can then be used at the port at different times, such as to power lights at night.
The scheme, which is being managed by the Portsmouth City Council's in-house energy services team, supported by Portsmouth International Port's engineering department, is all part of an integrated approach at the port that will eventually allow them to offer shore power for smaller ships, without having to take extra power from the local electricity grid.
When complete, it is estimated that in peak conditions 98% of the electricity consumed by the port could come from the combined solar and battery installation.
Jerry Clarke, pilot and senior project manager at Portsmouth International Port said: “The port is owned by the people of Portsmouth, so we have an obligation to reduce the impact of our operations on the environment, whilst reaching the ambitions set out in our 20-year masterplan.
"Our team has worked incredibly hard to help enable this project to happen, and I'd also like to thank Brittany Ferries and their passengers for their patience over the busy summer months whilst the installation took place.
“Combined with other sustainability initiatives, it will help us achieve our ambition of reaching net-zero carbon by 2030, and becoming one of the UK’s first zero emission ports by 2050. With government support, we really can make a clean maritime industry a reality.”
Cllr Kimberly Barrett, Cabinet member for Climate Change and Environment at Portsmouth City Council said: “It is the council's priority to support clean growth. I'm delighted that we've met our target to begin generating clean energy at the port by the end of 2022.
"I'd like to personally thank the energy services team at the council and the engineers at Portsmouth International Port for all their efforts. It shows that by working across the council, we can achieve our important ambitions.
"When fully operational, the scheme will reduce annual emissions by 239 tonnes at this busy site. We're committed to take positive action to tackle climate change, and this cut in emissions will boost our efforts to reduce carbon emissions across the city to net-zero by 2030."
Image credit: Portsmouth International Port/Strong Island Media.