Abstract: A system for preventing corrosion of a surface of a metal structure in contact with a corrosive environment comprising:(a) a conductive zinc silicate coating in conductive contact with at least part of the surface, wherein the conductive zinc silicate coating forms an interfacial layer between the surface and the corrosive environment; and(b) means for imparting a net negative bias to the metal structure, wherein the means comprise a power supply means having a negative terminal directly coupled to the metal structure and a positive terminal coupled to a portion of the metal structure, remote from the negative terminal, by way of a capacitor or resistor,and a method of preventing corrosion using the system.