Thames Quay Shore Power
Story Marine has submitted a planning application for the Thames Quay Shore Power project to Tower Hamlets Council (Ref: PA/25/02043/NC)
West India Dock in Canary Wharf has established itself as a premier destination in London for large yachts, military vessels, and a variety of other craft. Its large berths, high number of mooring points, modern facilities, and strategic location in the heart of the city make it an ideal choice for owners and operators seeking convenience, security, and world-class services. The installation of the proposed infrastructure, which will result in a new 0.55MW shore power system, will work to reduce local emissions from marine operators at West India South Dock (and along the River Thames), in line with the sustainability-oriented golden thread running through national, regional, and local policy and guidance.
The site is located in Canary Wharf on the southern end of West India South Dock. It comprises a rectangular piece of land along the waterfront walkway. It currently contains infrastructure for shore power for small and medium sized vessels and mooring points for boats. The surrounding area comprises a mix of commercial and residential properties. To the south of the site lies Meridian Place, a residential block, while to the north, across West India South Dock, there is a further mix of residential and commercial uses. The site is owned by the Canal and River Trust (CRT) who, in addition, are the main responsible body for vessel movements, vessel size constraints, and timeframes for dock entry governed by their existing operational procedures.
The proposed development seeks to provide small-scale infrastructure which is required to facilitate a 0.55MW shore power installation at the site. The required infrastructure comprises 2 Story Marine Electrical feeder pillars, 1 UKPN electrical cabinet and 3 Shore Power units including relevant underground cabling. The impetus for this proposal is underpinned by the need to transition to net zero emissions. By providing adequate grid connected electrical power services, marine operations using the dock in the future will be able to move away from burning diesel in generators (either onboard or temporary pier-side generators) to zero emissions at source electrical power. This infrastructure has the capacity to deliver net zero operations for 30 years.
At present, several of the existing yachts that berth at West India Dock are too large for the current shore power infrastructure and therefore rely on continuously running onboard engines or use static generators while docked, resulting in adverse noise and air quality impacts for neighbouring residents and users of the area. As such, the introduction of this infrastructure on site will help facilitate the charging of larger yachts at the Dock, whilst simultaneously providing the following benefits:
- A reduction in noise at the site and the surrounding areas due to the decrease in onboard engine and generator usage,
- With shore power available, onboard engines and generators can be switched off, significantly reducing local emissions and enhancing air quality,
- The infrastructure is water resistant and will not result in an increase in risk of flooding on or off site,
- The proposed infrastructure has been sensitively positioned to minimise any infringement on the public realm. In doing so, it will maintain the useability of the surrounding public realm and not cause any harmful impacts on neighbours or users of the public footpath.
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28 Clipper House, Trinity Buoy Wharf, London, United Kingdom, E14 0JW | Company Number 14964629