Sydney’s White Bay Cruise Terminal is moving closer to switching on Australia’s first cruise shore-power facility, with a major new electricity supply system now installed and final connection works underway.
The project is designed to allow compatible cruise ships to plug directly into shore-based electricity while berthed, reducing the need to keep onboard diesel generators running.
A key component of the project is the newly installed Onshore Power Supply system, a two-storey structure made up of 10 shipping containers that will act as the central power hub for visiting cruise ships.
33,000-Volt Supply to Power Docked Ships
The shore-power system will receive 33,000 volts of electricity from the local grid and convert it into the voltage and frequency required by cruise ships.
Electricity will then be transferred to vessels through a specialised Cable Management System installed on the wharf.
The major remaining works involve trenching and cabling to connect White Bay to Ausgrid’s Rozelle substation, as well as completing underground electrical infrastructure and the wharf-side connection system.
Crews are currently carrying out service locating and potholing works along Victoria Road between Clubb and Darling streets as preparations continue for the new electricity connection.
Around 70% of Visiting Ships Already Compatible
Around 70 per cent of cruise ships currently docking at White Bay already have the capability to connect to shore-based electricity.
Once connected, compatible vessels will be able to switch off their diesel-powered generators while in port, reducing both emissions and noise affecting nearby communities.
The NSW Government estimates the change could reduce noise from cruise ship engines and generators by up to 10 decibels.
Cruise ships currently need to keep onboard generators operating while berthed in order to power essential systems for passengers and crew.
More Than 4,000 Tonnes of Emissions Could Be Avoided
Every kilowatt of electricity used through the White Bay shore-power system will be matched with purchased renewable energy.
The project is expected to reduce carbon emissions by more than 4,000 tonnes each year — equivalent to removing approximately 1,100 vehicles from NSW roads annually.
The project is also expected to improve local air quality by reducing emissions from ships operating their engines while docked.
Sydney Harbour Water to Cool Power Infrastructure
A specialised seawater cooling system is also being installed as part of the project.
Rather than relying solely on conventional mechanical cooling, the facility will use seawater from Sydney Harbour to help regulate the temperature of critical shore-power equipment.
The system is intended to reduce energy use and operational noise while lowering the project’s overall environmental footprint.
Construction crews are continuing work on the underground electrical network, Cable Management System and cooling infrastructure.
First Cruise Ship Connections Expected in 2026–27 Summer
Construction of the White Bay shore-power project is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
Cruise ships are then expected to begin testing and connecting to the system during the 2026–27 summer cruise season.
Transport Minister John Graham said the project would reduce both air emissions and noise for residents living near the terminal once the system becomes operational.
Port Authority of NSW Chief Executive John McKenna described installation of the Onshore Power Supply structure as a major engineering milestone and said teams were now focused on securing power from Rozelle and completing the remaining electrical, cooling and wharf infrastructure.
The White Bay project is expected to become the first cruise shore-power facility of its kind in Australia, allowing compatible vessels to use landside electricity instead of onboard diesel generation while berthed.
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