Wedoany.com Report-Oct. 24, A prototype floating wind platform integrated with an aquaculture system, developed under the European project AquaWind, was successfully towed and installed at the Oceanic Platform of the Canary Islands (PLOCAN) test site on 18 October. The initiative marks a key step in testing multi-use offshore technologies that combine renewable energy generation with sustainable aquaculture.

The prototype combines EnerOcean’s W2Power twin-turbine floating wind platform with an aquaculture cage designed by the GOBCAN_ACIISI/ULPGC team. The cage features advanced net materials and digitalized remote-control systems, enabling precise monitoring and management of fish in offshore conditions. It is equipped to support biological studies using multiple fish species, including high-value species that aim to diversify aquaculture practices.

“The multi-use concept behind AquaWind is aimed at addressing a core European Union challenge: optimising the sustainable and efficient use of marine space. By successfully integrating renewable energy and aquaculture in one location, the project significantly reduces its carbon footprint, aligning directly with the EU’s climate and energy objectives,” the AquaWind consortium said in a press release on 20 October.

Testing at the PLOCAN site will focus on the interactions between energy production and live fish farming, as well as the operation of the integrated system via remote-control technology. Over the coming months, the team will monitor fish growth, survival, and quality under offshore conditions, while assessing the environmental impact and durability of the platform and cage system.

The initial testing phase involves gilthead seabream, followed by preliminary trials with greater amberjack (Seriola dumerilii) to evaluate the system’s performance with additional high-value species. Insights gained from these studies will inform optimization of the prototype and guide the design of future pre-commercial and commercial systems, including potential expansion across the Atlantic.

The AquaWind project is co-funded by the European Union and brings together multiple partners, including ACIISI, ULPGC, EnerOcean, CANEXMAR, PLOCAN, Consulta Europa, the Canary Islands Maritime Cluster, WAVEC, and INNOSEA. By combining offshore renewable energy and aquaculture, the project aims to demonstrate a scalable, sustainable model that enhances marine resource efficiency while supporting the EU’s climate and energy goals.

Through these trials, AquaWind seeks to validate multi-use offshore platforms as a viable solution for clean energy generation and sustainable aquaculture. The integration of wind power and fish farming represents a forward-looking approach to maximizing marine space while reducing carbon emissions and promoting resilient food production systems.