Port of Tilbury estate set to be powered by EDF’s 100% renewable energy supply

The Port of Tilbury London Limited is the largest multimodal port in the South East and the third largest port in the UK who do more than simply manage cargo passing through the port; they offer bespoke supply chain solutions across a diverse range of sectors. 

EDF has been supplying the Port of Tilbury with energy for over twenty years, and we’re proud to support British infrastructure with zero carbon technology. 

From October 2026 this commitment will go even further - the entire Port of Tilbury estate will be powered by EDF’s 100% renewable energy supply, ensuring that all activity across the port runs on certified green electricity.

Commenting on the investment, Andy Darlington, Senior Procurement & Facilities Manager at the Port of Tilbury said: At the Port of Tilbury sustainability is central to how we operate and grow. Our long-standing partnership with EDF has played an important role in helping us reduce our carbon footprint with our operations currently powered by EDF’s Zero Carbon for Business supply – backed by zero-carbon nuclear generation. 

This partnership ensures we can already report market-based emissions of zero while maintaining a secure and competitively priced energy supply. From October 2026 our commitment will go even further as the entire Port of Tilbury estate transitions to EDF’s 100% renewable energy supply ensuring all activity across the port runs on certified green electricity. 

Renewing our contract with EDF made perfect sense — their competitive offering, proven reliability and alignment with our environmental ambitions make them an ideal partner in our journey towards becoming one of the UK’s most sustainable and energy-efficient ports.

The Port are supplied by EDF’s zero carbon product, which is electricity supply backed by zero carbon nuclear generation; enabling them to report lower carbon emissions and reducing their market-based emissions to zero.

Our Peace of Mind product was a key value for Port of Tilbury, driven by the ability to fully fix wholesale energy rates and secure protection against non-energy cost fluctuations throughout the contract term. This provided complete budget certainty as well as safeguarding the business from unexpected increases in costs up to the contract start date in October 2026.

In these volatile markets and uncertain times, where energy markets can shift dramatically due to geopolitical events or supply chain pressures, Port of Tilbury have ensured price stability, ensuring their energy rates are locked in, as well as budget certainty – ensuring they know exactly what they’re paying each month as well as supporting their long term sustainability and net zero goals. 

This move to 100% renewable power marks a major milestone in our journey to become one of the UK’s most sustainable and energy-efficient ports. Our partnership with EDF ensures we can continue to deliver for our customers while driving positive change across the wider logistics sector. – Andy Darlington, Senior Procurement & Facilities Manager Port of Tilbury London Limited

Their long-term goal is to operate a net zero port, powered entirely by renewable and low-carbon energy sources. As part of this journey, they have already made substantial progress in reducing emissions and modernising infrastructure to support low-carbon operations.

The Port currently generates renewable electricity through on-site wind turbines providing a local and renewable source of power for their operations. From October 2026 this commitment will go even further - the entire Port of Tilbury estate will be powered by EDF’s 100% renewable energy supply, ensuring that all activity across the port runs on certified green electricity.

The Tilbury2 terminal is a flagship example of this transition in action. All plant and equipment on site operate using HVO100 fuel - a sustainable certified hydrotreated vegetable oil that delivers significant CO₂ reductions compared with conventional diesel. This switch has already made a measurable difference to the port’s carbon footprint and is a key step toward full electrification.

The Port are also investing significantly in the modernisation of their operational equipment and vehicle fleet. Working with Briggs Equipment the Port are looking to introduce electric/low-emission plant and support vehicles and expanding EV-charging infrastructure across the port. This includes facilities to support both their own vehicles and their logistics partners enabling a wider transition to cleaner road transport.

As part of our commitment to future-proofing our operations we have recently added a Liebherr LHM 550 harbour mobile crane to our fleet. It has been supplied “electric-ready” with pre-wiring and factory-fitted features at the Liebherr plant to allow for conversion to full electric operation in the future. This ensures we can seamlessly transition to electric power as our renewable infrastructure expands. - Andy Darlington

At the same time, as part of the wider group, Forth Ports, which owns the Port of Tilbury, has set out ambitious environmental targets: it aims to achieve carbon neutrality (Scope 1 & 2) by 2032, and full net zero by 2042.

EDF have been supplying Port of Tilbury with energy for over twenty years, and we’re thrilled to continue to support them as the entire estate transitions to our 100% renewable energy supply. Our Peace of Mind Product remains a leading product for our customers protecting them against all current uncertainties in the market, and we’re proud to offer proven reliability. Our ongoing partnership shows a commitment to energy, logistics and community and we’re pleased to power them on their journey to Net Zero. – Pieter Theuwis, Director of Mid Market, EDF Business Solutions

Through these combined efforts and a long-standing partnership with EDF - renewable generation, alternative fuels, electrification and future-ready infrastructure - the Port of Tilbury is taking decisive steps toward becoming one of the UK’s most sustainable and energy-efficient ports demonstrating what a modern, responsible logistics hub can achieve.