Valiant Lady Makes Virgin Voyages’ First European Shore Power Connection
Valiant Lady becomes Virgin Voyages’ first ship to use European shore power, connecting to Portsmouth’s renewable electricity system this month.
Virgin Voyages has reached a new sustainability milestone in Portsmouth during Valiant Lady’s final UK season. Valiant Lady became the first Virgin Voyages ship to connect to shore power in Europe last week. The ship successfully used Portsmouth International Port’s newly commissioned system while alongside.
The milestone comes just days before Valiant Lady departs Portsmouth for the final time this season on August 27, 2026.
Valiant Lady Connects to Shore Power in Portsmouth
The connection allowed Valiant Lady to switch off her engines while in port. Instead, the ship drew electricity directly from the local grid.
Portsmouth says the electricity supplied through its shore power system is 100% renewable.
Using shore power can reduce emissions while a cruise ship is alongside. It can also help improve local air quality because the ship does not need to keep its engines running to provide onboard power.
Valiant Lady was the first commercial cruise ship to connect to Portsmouth International Port’s new shore power system.
Three Virgin Voyages Ships Can Use Shore Power
Three of Virgin Voyages’ four Lady Ships are currently equipped with shore power technology. This means they can connect to compatible systems in port and switch off their engines while alongside.
However, the technology can only be used where ports have suitable shore power infrastructure available. Portsmouth’s new system is described as the UK’s first multi-berth, multi-user and multi-frequency shore power system. It has been designed so multiple vessels can connect at the same time.
Virgin Voyages Calls the Connection a Sustainability Milestone
Jill Stoneberg, Senior Director of Social Impact and Sustainability at Virgin Voyages, said the Portsmouth connection showed what can happen when investment at sea and on land comes together.
She said shore power is one part of Virgin Voyages’ wider work to reduce emissions and added that partnerships with ports will be important as that work continues.
Andrew Williamson, Head of Cruise and Ferry at Portsmouth International Port, said the connection marked another milestone for the port. He confirmed Valiant Lady was taking renewable power directly from the electricity grid while switching off her engines in port.
2026 Sustainability Report
Valiant Lady Will Use Shore Power During Its Remaining Portsmouth Calls
Virgin Voyages plans to connect Valiant Lady to shore power during all three of its Portsmouth calls this month.
That means the new infrastructure is being used immediately rather than remaining a future project. Portsmouth International Port says the investment forms part of its wider goal to become the UK’s first zero-emissions port by 2050.
A Final UK Season for Valiant Lady
The shore power milestone comes at an interesting point in Virgin Voyages’ relationship with Portsmouth. Valiant Lady is currently completing her final UK season, with her final Portsmouth departure scheduled for August 27, 2026.
Virgin Voyages is stepping away from its regular UK and Iceland program in 2027 & 2028 as its ships move to other regions.
You can read more about that change in our earlier guide: Virgin Voyages to Step Away From UK and Iceland in 2027.
Portsmouth has played an important role in Virgin Voyages’ European operation. It also became the first European port to welcome all four Lady Ships: Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, Resilient Lady and Brilliant Lady.
The latest shore power connection adds another milestone to that relationship before Valiant Lady finishes its Portsmouth season later this week.
What This Means for Sailors
Sailors are unlikely to notice any major difference onboard when Valiant Lady connects to shore power. The main change happens behind the scenes. The ship can continue operating normally while using electricity from the shore instead of running its engines alongside.
For ports such as Portsmouth, the main benefit is lower local emissions while ships are docked. As more ports install compatible infrastructure, shore power could become a more common part of Virgin Voyages’ operations in Europe and elsewhere.
