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iconsys, in partnership with CEMEX UK and WMG, has successfully delivered the first UK-built iConvert™ Microgrid: Shore Power system.
Funded by the Department for Transport as part of the Clean Maritime Demonstrator Competition, this landmark project set a new standard for industrial decarbonisation, integrating renewable generation, battery storage and advanced energy management in a containerised solution.
The system is already delivering measurable benefits:
“This is a key step in CEMEX’s journey to decarbonise our operations, demonstrating how innovation and collaboration can help us achieve our net zero targets.”
CEMEX has set ambitious global sustainability goals: to reduce direct CO₂ emissions by 47% by 2030 (from a 1990 baseline) and to achieve net zero by 2050. At Shoreham Wharf, a critical import hub for materials, these targets created both urgency and opportunity. Key challenges included:
High emissions from vessels at berth – Ships traditionally run auxiliary diesel engines to power onboard systems while docked. This generates significant CO₂, NOx, SOx and particulate emissions, as well as noise pollution, all of which impact local air quality and contribute to global climate targets.
Rising and volatile energy costs – The UK energy market has seen sharp fluctuations in recent years. Relying solely on grid supply exposed CEMEX to unpredictable costs, eroding operational efficiency and competitiveness.
Dependence on the national grid – Critical site operations such as unloading vessels, running warehouses and maintaining office facilities depended on grid supply. Any outage or grid instability risked costly delays and disruption to CEMEX’s supply chain.
Increasing compliance pressures – Ports and industrial operators are under growing scrutiny from government, regulators and local authorities to adopt cleaner technologies. Shoreham Wharf needed to demonstrate leadership in decarbonisation while ensuring alignment with tightening IMO, UK Clean Maritime and national net zero commitments.
For CEMEX, the challenge was not just about reducing emissions — it was about finding a reliable, future-proof energy solution that could:
Cut operational costs and exposure to energy price volatility,
Strengthen energy resilience across critical wharf activities, and
Demonstrate compliance and leadership in sustainability.
To address these challenges, we designed, built and deployed the iConvert™ Smart Shore Power System, the UK’s first containerised microgrid of its kind.
At Shoreham Wharf, the solution brought together a full suite of advanced energy technologies:
Solar PV (87 kWp) – Generating approximately 80,000 kWh per year of clean energy, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and lowering site energy bills.
Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) – Providing secure, dispatchable power, storing energy off-peak for use at times of higher demand or cost.
Multi-Input, Multi-Output (MIMO) Energy Management Software – Offering 11 operating modes to optimise power flows between renewable generation, storage, the grid and on-site demand.
Grid-compliant inverters and protection relays – Ensuring seamless integration with the UK Grid in line with G99 compliance, while enabling safe islanded operation when required.
The system allows vessels to plug into clean, renewable shore power while berthed, eliminating the need for auxiliary diesel engines. It also supplies power to warehouses, offices and supporting port operations, delivering both environmental and economic benefits.
Beyond the technical delivery, the project was designed as a replicable, modular model that can be scaled to other ports, industrial sites and energy-intensive facilities across the UK. By combining containerisation with flexible energy management, iConvert™ positions itself as a blueprint for industrial decarbonisation.
You can find out more about our iConvert™ microgrid solution here →
The Shoreham Wharf project has delivered measurable impact across emissions reduction, cost savings, resilience and compliance, with performance exceeding original expectations:
Decarbonisation achieved – By enabling vessels to shut down diesel engines at berth, the system eliminates around 1,444 tonnes of CO₂ annually, along with significant reductions in NOx, SOx and particulate matter. This directly supports both CEMEX’s corporate climate commitments and UK Clean Maritime targets.
Energy cost savings – The combination of solar PV and smart energy management is cutting site energy bills by approximately £33,700 per year, offsetting high grid tariffs and improving operational efficiency.
Grid independence and resilience – With the majority of energy needs now met on-site, Shoreham Wharf has significantly reduced reliance on the national grid. The system provides continuous, stable power to vessels and critical facilities, even during periods of grid stress or market volatility.
Operational flexibility – The 11-mode iConvert™ platform enables dynamic balancing of energy sources, allowing CEMEX to optimise energy use in real-time. This ensures efficiency under variable demand, renewable availability and grid conditions.
Scalable model for wider industry – Perhaps most importantly, the project proves that shore power is commercially viable and replicable. CEMEX and Iconsys are already engaging with other ports, wharfs and non-maritime industries to explore broader deployment.
The success of Shoreham Wharf demonstrates that shore power is not just viable — it is commercially and technically proven. iConvert™ is now positioned as a replicable solution, with discussions already underway for deployment at other ports and industrial sites.
For end users, it delivers resilience, compliance and net zero progress.
For OEMs and EPCs, it is a proven solution that can be integrated into larger decarbonisation programmes.
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