Electric Thames helps unlock river’s green future

A new green energy initiative is helping London’s maritime sector plot a cleaner course along the River Thames.

UK Power Networks has launched the Electric Thames project to support the shift from diesel to clean energy for vessels operating on the waterway. 

Working with partners including LCP Delta, Marine Zero, ev.energy and the Port of London Authority, the electricity firm is exploring low-emission technologies and preparing for the grid demands of electric boats.

The project, which could prove to be a turning point in transforming the nation’s rivers into clean transport corridors, analysed energy use across 62 commercial vessels, revealing annual consumption equivalent to ten million litres of diesel. 

This data will help shape long-term grid upgrades and reduce the sector’s 27,200 tonnes of CO2 emissions.

Electric Thames also evaluated 21 riverside sites for potential charging hubs to serve commercial, tourism and transport operators. 

One standout innovation is vessel-to-grid technology, which could allow boats to feed power back into the grid when docked.

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.”

Funded through the Strategic Innovation Fund by Ofgem and Innovate UK, the Electric Thames project has been designed to deliver scalable insights that can support decarbonisation efforts across the UK’s wider maritime industry, not just in the capital.

Andy Hurley, operations director at Marine Zero, added: "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 widescale 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.”

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