Zero Emission Vessels and Infrastructure 2: Electric Power

The Zero Emission Vessels and Infrastructure 2: Electric Power competition is part of the UK SHORE programme, designed to position the UK as a global leader in clean maritime technologies. This funding call supports large-scale projects that develop, build and demonstrate electric maritime solutions in real-world environments, contributing directly to the UK’s Maritime Decarbonisation Strategy.

Projects must go beyond early-stage R&D and focus on delivering fully operational systems. Successful applicants will be required to deploy their technologies and demonstrate them over a three-year period without further grant funding, ensuring both technical and commercial viability.

What your project must deliver

To be competitive, projects must clearly demonstrate innovation, scalability and real-world impact. This includes both vessel and infrastructure development, alongside a robust demonstration plan.

Your project must:

• Develop 100% battery electric vessels or retrofit existing vessels with electric propulsion
• Build and deploy supporting charging infrastructure or shore power systems
• Demonstrate the technology in a real-world operational environment for three years
• Deliver significant reductions in well-to-wake greenhouse gas emissions
• Provide a clear and costed pathway to commercialisation and scale

Projects must also include relevant end users such as vessel operators or port authorities to ensure practical deployment and operational validation.

Technology focus areas

This strand focuses specifically on electric power solutions within maritime, with a strong emphasis on innovation and commercial viability.

Key areas include:

• 100% battery electric vessel development or retrofit
• Charging infrastructure for maritime applications
• Shore power systems enabling vessels to switch off onboard fossil-based systems while docked
• Port-based energy infrastructure including storage, load management and energy supply systems

Projects must demonstrate not only technical feasibility but also how these solutions can be widely adopted across the maritime sector.