Galicia is positioning itself at the forefront of renewable energy with the development of what is considered the largest marine solar energy project globally. The San Enrique shipyard, based in Vigo, and the engineering company BlueNewables signed an agreement to build and implement an innovative prototype of a floating solar platform, called PV-bos, with a capacity of one megawatt (MW).
The investment in this research and development project exceeds four million euros and will involve the hiring of 60 workers. The PV-bos platform will be installed in the waters of the Port of Valencia in 2026, where it will undergo tests to validate its efficiency and safety. The structure consists of a floater that supports solar panels and a technical room with inverters and transformers to inject the generated energy into the port’s electrical grid.
According to BlueNewables, this innovation will allow generating approximately 1,500 megawatt-hours annually, enough to supply 500 homes, and will contribute to the reduction of 620 tons of CO2 per year, avoiding the use of fossil fuels. In addition, the bifacial technology of the solar panels will harness the light reflected in the water to increase efficiency, and the cooling effect of the sea will help mitigate performance loss due to high temperatures.
The PV-bos solution was selected in the Hispanic-Korean program KSSP 2024 (Korea Spain Strategic Programme), supported by the Center for Industrial Technological Development (CDTI) of Spain and the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT). This international support seeks to promote the industrialization and commercialization of the project, involving companies from both countries specialized in engineering, manufacturing, and advanced technologies.
A major commitment to renewable energies
San Enrique, belonging to the Meridional Group, is betting on diversifying its activity in the renewable energy sector, while BlueNewables, based in Tenerife and with a presence in several European cities, develops naval solutions for wind and marine photovoltaic energy. The implementation of PV-bos in Valencia will be a key step in positioning this technology in the global market and reinforcing the Galician naval industry in the energy transition sector.
This project adds to other sustainable initiatives in the Port of Valencia, which already generates 18% of its energy from renewable sources. The commitment to floating solar energy represents a strategic advance towards decarbonization and efficient use of marine space for clean energy generation.
China and the risk of losing its seas: did they go too far this time?
The concept of floating solar energy is nothing new for China. This methodology involves installing solar panels on bodies of water such as reservoirs, dams, and seas. This technology allows for the use of unused land and reduces water evaporation in certain areas. According to Wood Mackenzie forecasts, the global floating solar energy market will reach 77 GW of installed capacity by 2033, with China leading the sector.
China, which already has over 700 GW of solar capacity, is pushing this technology to new limits. In this regard, the state-owned company CHN Energy completed the installation of a 1 GW marine solar project in Shandong province, while Huaneng Group built platforms capable of withstanding the harsh conditions of the open sea.
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