en.Wedoany.com Reported - On July 13, Spain's first floating photovoltaic installation designed for open-sea operations was deployed at the Port of Valencia. Named "Paiporta," the floating platform was developed by BlueNewables and built at the San Enrique de Vigo shipyard (astillero San Enrique de Vigo). Its name commemorates the town in the Valencian Community affected by the DANA heavy rainfall and floods in 2024. The installation will be placed outside the southern breakwater of the Port of Valencia, where its performance, durability, and power generation capacity will be continuously analyzed over the coming months.
The project plans to install two platforms, each with a capacity of 500 kW, for a total installed capacity of one megawatt. The second platform is expected to be completed by the end of summer, marking the conclusion of the pre-commercial installation. The arrival of the platform at the Port of Valencia is a key milestone in BlueNewables' technology roadmap, as the company has spent over two years developing such open-sea floating photovoltaic solutions. The structure was launched at the San Enrique de Vigo shipyard in May through a complex lifting operation, underwent commissioning, and was then towed to the Port of Valencia, where it will undergo operational validation under real-world conditions.
This initiative is part of the RENMARINAS Valenciaport program, coordinated by the Port Authority and supported by funding from the Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving through the NextGeneration EU European funds. Its goal is to accelerate the development and validation of new renewable energy solutions applicable to marine and port environments.
The solution developed by BlueNewables features a catamaran-style floating design, specifically engineered to withstand open-sea conditions. This configuration elevates solar panels above the water surface, facilitating maintenance and improving operational efficiency. The PV-bos technology is designed for operation in open seas and port areas to promote the deployment of floating solar power plants, complementing other renewable energy sources, particularly in combination with floating offshore wind. The design also allows for the development of hybrid projects, contributing to the decarbonization of marine infrastructure. The installation uses bifacial solar panels, which absorb both direct solar radiation and reflected light from the water surface, potentially increasing power generation compared to conventional systems.
In addition to hosting this floating photovoltaic plant, the Port Authority will develop a permanent testing platform for connecting, testing, and transmitting electricity from various marine renewable energy demonstration units to the grids of the Port of Valencia and the Port of Sagunto. The project also includes the EnerMarPort program, which focuses on harnessing wave energy at Sagunto, turning both ports into experimental grounds for emerging energy technologies. This initiative is integrated into the "Valenciaport 2035 Strategic Plan" and the "Net Zero Emissions Plan," placing energy transition, innovation, and climate resilience at the core of port area development.
Naturgy and BlueNewables will collaborate over the next two years on the technical, operational, and economic analysis of the project. During this period, data on power generation, equipment performance, operational costs, incidents, and maintenance needs will be collected to assess the feasibility of the technology for future commercial development. Bernardino Couñago, CEO and co-founder of BlueNewables, stated that this project represents a milestone in the company's technological evolution, positioning it among international players in offshore floating photovoltaics and demonstrating Spain's industrial and technical capacity to develop innovative solutions in the renewable energy sector. For Naturgy, this project is part of its open innovation strategy implemented through the Innovahub platform, which promotes initiatives related to renewable energy, green hydrogen, biomethane, digitalization, and artificial intelligence. With the arrival of the Paiporta platform, the Port of Valencia becomes the first site in Spain to test an open-sea floating solar installation, further consolidating its role as an innovation laboratory for energy transition in the port system.
