The Oceanic Platform of the Canary Islands (PLOCAN) took part in the kick-off meeting of the European project HiPoTeSis (High Power Test Sites to consolidate industrialisation of FOW in Europe), held in Nantes (France), at a two-day event that brought together the leading operators of offshore test infrastructures across the European Atlantic.
PLOCAN’s Director attended this initial meeting alongside the other consortium partners, as part of a strategic initiative aimed at consolidating Europe’s capacity to test, validate and accelerate the deployment of high-power floating offshore wind technologies, including wind turbines of 15, 20 and up to 25 MW.
HiPoTeSis is co-funded by the Interreg Atlantic Area programme through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and is coordinated by the OPEN-C Foundation, with the participation as main partners of BiMEP (Spain), CEO – Companhia da Energia Oceânica (Portugal), SEAI (Ireland) and PLOCAN (Spain).
PLOCAN, a key node in the European offshore test site network
Within the framework of the project, PLOCAN plays a key role as an offshore test infrastructure, strengthening the position of the Canary Islands as a European benchmark in marine energies and as a test bed for emerging technologies under real conditions.
PLOCAN’s participation will help drive a coordinated transnational network of high-power test sites, promoting a common approach among European operators, the exchange of technical knowledge, and the development of a shared vision for the industrialisation of floating wind power.
Project objectives and scope
With an estimated duration of three years, HiPoTeSis has the following main objectives:
- To create a transnational network of test infrastructures for high-power floating wind turbines.
- To position the Atlantic as a strategic region for innovation and deployment in floating offshore wind.
- To drive technological innovation, energy efficiency and decarbonisation.
The project also integrates essential components such as strengthening R&D&I capacities, developing testing under real conditions, and incorporating criteria related to digitalisation, the circular economy and biodiversity protection.
Boosting the value chain and employment in coastal regions
HiPoTeSis will contribute to consolidating the European floating wind value chain by promoting industrial opportunities, job creation and growth in coastal communities, while supporting the European Union’s climate objectives.
During the kick-off meeting, the partners agreed on a key message: Europe needs high-power offshore testing infrastructures to lead the floating wind of the future, reducing technological risks and accelerating industrialisation.
