The article discusses the possibility of using the socalled supercapacitors in the crane electric drives for general use. The main idea is that the supercapacitors block is connected directly to the common DC link, from which the several voltage source invertors are feed. With this solution during braking modes of one of electric drives, the braking energy is stored on the supercapacitor and then can be used to implement the motor modes. It is obvious that in this case there will be a saving of electrical energy compared with frequencycontrolled electric drive, in which the braking resistor are used. The task of this work is to estimate the technical and economic efficiency of using the capacitive energy storages in the crane electric drives. The problem is solved with the using of mathematical models for в crane electric drive with a common DC link. The simulation results and approximate calculation of electric energy consumption for frequencycontrolled electric drive with supercapacitor and braking resistor are given. The comparative estimation of the technical and economic characteristics of the electric drive, and the approximate payback periods of crane electric drive modernization with using capacitive energy storage are shown.