The 2nd Offshore Wind Congress held in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria has distinguished the Plataforma Oceánica de Canarias with the Offshore Wind Award for being an independent reference as a pioneering test platform in the technological development of flotation solutions.
The jury has assessed that PLOCAN plays a decisive role in the Canary Islands region with its testing facilities and its unique cross-sectoral offshore expertise. PLOCAN has been a key player in the introduction of offshore wind energy in the region, as well as in the installation, connection and operation of an offshore wind turbine.
In addition, the jury considered PLOCAN’s outstanding track record in R&D&I in the marine and maritime sector, as well as its contribution to positioning the Canary Islands, Spain and the European Union as leaders in this field and for having a solid strategy towards the realisation of offshore wind energy.
PLOCAN, the award continues, has demonstrated how science can move towards responsible and sustainable ocean technologies, facilitating access to the sea through services (hosting, operations and data) and infrastructure (platform, test bed, observatory and land-based headquarters), and creating social and economic value by supporting and fostering public policy development, risk assessment and mitigation, governance, regulation and sustainable development of the oceans.
PLOCAN is grateful for the distinction, which not only recognises the tireless work of our platform in the promotion and development of advanced marine technologies, but also reflects the joint effort of all the members of the PLOCAN team and the valuable collaboration of the users who, with their contributions and support, drive us to improve day by day.
Spain is at an energy turning point, where the development of floating offshore wind energy is imminent. With the goal of installing 3 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030, outlined in the National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan (PNIEC), we face challenges that require fast and effective action. The II Offshore Wind Congress has highlighted the importance of advancing a regulatory framework and planning that will trigger the development of the first offshore wind farms.
The Canary Islands, with its strategic position and wind energy potential, is consolidating itself as a privileged test bed for innovation and development in the blue economy. The Canary Islands Government’s initiative to create the Canary Islands Offshore Wind Energy Observatory is a significant step towards achieving our decarbonisation targets for 2040.
“This recognition is a call to action to accelerate technologies and all processes that can drive the energy transition. We invite all relevant actors – governments, industries, academia and civil society – to join forces to seize this unprecedented opportunity and strengthen the commitment towards a more sustainable and prosperous future. Together, we can make the Canary Islands and Spain a world leader in the offshore wind energy sector and, therefore, in the fight against climate change,” said PLOCAN Director Jose Joaquín Hernández Brito.
At PLOCAN, “we reaffirm our commitment to science and technology as pillars for the development of sustainable and responsible solutions, and we are proud to be part of this energy revolution. We celebrate this award with gratitude and the desire to continue working to overcome present and future challenges,” he concluded.
