Electric Thames: Alpha Phase Delivers Blueprint for a Zero-Emission Maritime Future
A pioneering clean energy initiative is helping London’s maritime sector chart a new, greener course along the River Thames.
Electric Thames, led by UK Power Networks in collaboration with Marine Zero, LCP Delta, ev.energy, and the Port of London Authority, has now successfully concluded its Alpha Phase, marking a major milestone in the drive to decarbonise inland waterways.
Funded by the Strategic Innovation Fund from Ofgem and Innovate UK, the project has explored how the maritime industry can shift from diesel to electric propulsion by assessing real-world operational, technical, and energy infrastructure needs.
Over the course of the Alpha Phase, the team:
- Analysed 62 commercial vessels, revealing an annual energy use equivalent to ten million litres of diesel (producing approx. 27,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually)
- Identified 21 riverside locations for potential electric charging infrastructure;
- Developed detailed vessel conversion designs for passenger ferries, tugs, workboats and cruise vessels;
- Evaluated innovative solutions like vessel-to-grid (V2G) technology, which could allow moored boats to provide flexible support to the energy grid.
The results show that electrification of Thames vessels is technically and commercially feasible, with real potential to reduce emissions and unlock broader benefits for London’s grid resilience and air quality.
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.”
The project has also built a comprehensive technical and financial model to support scalable infrastructure roll-out along the Thames and other UK waterways. Insights from the Alpha Phase will now be used to shape investor discussions and enable a potential Beta Phase involving real-world vessel demonstrators and charging sites.
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 shared, and the innovation-forward mindsets of the project partners, we’ve been able to undertake widescale energy and power analysis.
“That analysis 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.”
Electric Thames now offers a replicable roadmap to help ports, harbours, Local Authorities, and operators nationwide accelerate maritime decarbonisation, contributing to both zero emissions goals and improved urban environments.
A Model for Reducing Emissions in Central London
As the Electric Thames project moves forward it is poised to play a crucial role in the Port of London Authority’s Net Zero transition and support London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s ambition for a Net Zero Carbon London by 2030. The project will also offer a scalable blueprint for decarbonising the UK’s extensive network of rivers and inland waterways.
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.”
Luca Grella, Head of Innovation at UK Power Networks
