The Port of Las Palmas is preparing to take a major leap forward in the field of marine renewable energy With the commissioning of a new test site, this infrastructure will transform the Gran Canaria dock into a space where various clean technologies linked to the sea and wind can be tested under real-world conditions, reinforcing the archipelago's role in the European energy transition.
The project, promoted by the Technological Institute of the Canary Islands (ITC) and backed by the Port Authority of Las Palmas, it is conceived as a key piece of the so-called blue economyIn addition to promoting research and development, it aims to attract innovative companies to the port environment and open the door to new energy uses for public transport and certain vessels.
A strategic concession for the Technological Institute of the Canary Islands
At its last ordinary Board of Directors meeting in February, the Port Authority of Las Palmas approved the granting of a marine renewable energy testbed in favor of the ITC. This decision is part of a session aimed at boosting economic activity and environmental sustainability within the state-owned public entity's ports.
The concession will allow the installation of a test bench for floating photovoltaic platforms and wave generators in the waters of the Port of Las Palmas. According to data provided by the Port Authority itself, the project will occupy 2.109 square meters of water surface, Together with 220 m² of submerged space, 38 m² of land area y 13 m² allocated for piping and auxiliary conduits necessary for its operation.
The term of the concession has been set at 18 yearsThis provides ample time to recoup the investment and consolidate technological testing. In exchange for the use of the port's public domain, the ITC will pay a annual occupancy rate of 11.797,16 euros, And a activity rate of 4% on a minimum estimated turnover of 60.000 euros per year.
From the presidency of the Port Authority, Beatriz Calzada He emphasized that agreements like this one are part of a line of work aimed at to strengthen economic growth and sustainabilityWhile simultaneously strengthening legal certainty and the orderly use of port areas, the port authority official emphasizes that the port must become increasingly useful to the public and more robust in its resource management.
A testbed for marine renewable energies
The heart of the project will be a renewable energy test bench specifically geared towards the maritime environment. The initiative opens the door to the deployment of floating photovoltaic platforms capable of generating electricity from solar radiation over the sea, as well as wave generators designed to harness the energy of the waves.
As the port authority president herself explained, one of the main lines of work will be the hydrogen production from photovoltaic energyIn other words, the electricity obtained in the test bench could be fed into electrolysis systems that separate water into hydrogen and oxygen, thus generating a clean fuel with significant potential for use in transport and industry.
The ITC envisions this space as a controlled yet real environment where one can test, measure and refine Various marine renewable energy devices will be tested before their larger-scale deployment. This will reduce technological risks and provide valuable data on the performance of these technologies under the specific conditions of the Atlantic Ocean off the Canary Islands.
The president of the Port Authority has insisted that the test site fits perfectly into the vision of a port that is committed to Technological innovation and the energy transitionaligning with the sustainability priorities set by both Spain and the European Union.
Location in the port and connection with other projects
The new test bench will be located in the inland waters of the Port of Las Palmas, specifically in the area between the Nelson Mandela and Queen Sofia docksThis area offers suitable maritime conditions for conducting controlled tests, while maintaining compatibility with normal port traffic.
The project is linked to the framework of the program. Renmarinas, which the ITC is already developing in the Port of ArinagaThis expansion to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria aims to leverage the unique characteristics of both locations and consolidate a genuine hub of [unclear - possibly "business/entertainment"]. marine renewable energy trials in the archipelago.
The Director of R&D&I at the Technological Institute of the Canary Islands, Gonzalo PiernaviejaHe argued that this infrastructure aims to make the region "more attractive" so that marine technology development companies They can come and test their devices. The underlying message is that part of the world's energy future depends on these types of renewable solutions linked to the sea.
For its development, the ITC has taken advantage of a grant of 1.465.000 euros from the European Next Generation fundsThis funding is specifically aimed at marine energy projects in ports. It aligns with the Spanish government's strategy for port facilities to also serve as test platform for emerging clean technologies, beyond their traditional logistical function.
Green hydrogen and new uses for transport
One of the most interesting aspects of the test bench is its potential to boost the green hydrogenUsing renewable electricity generated by floating photovoltaic platforms, the project will explore the feasibility of producing this energy vector with low emissions, a field in which many expectations are focused both in Spain and in the EU.
During the presentation of the initiative, Beatriz Calzada highlighted that the test bench was initially conceived to supply energy to the Municipal buses of Las Palmas de Gran CanariaFrom there, the possibility arose of taking a further step and proposing the hydrogen generation that can also be used for certain types of vessels that do not require high power.
This approach aligns with the decarbonization trends in public and maritime transport, where both electric and hydrogen-based alternatives are being sought to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. In this context, the testbed will allow technically analyze different options and assess their performance in a real-world environment.
Beyond its potential use in buses or ships, the project opens the door to exploring other applications of hydrogen and the energy generated, always with the priority of using clean methods and low-emission technologiesThe 18-year concession provides leeway to incorporate new prototypes and solutions as the energy transition progresses.
The Canary Islands as a European hub for innovation in marine energy
The launch of this test site in the Port of Las Palmas adds to other projects that are positioning The Canary Islands on the European innovation map marine renewable energyThe archipelago boasts wind, sun, and wave conditions that make it especially attractive for testing emerging technologies before their commercial expansion.
In this sense, the role of Technological Institute of the Canary Islands This is crucial. By leading test banks and participating in initiatives linked to applied research, the ITC positions itself as an actor that facilitates the technology transfer between knowledge centers, companies and public administrations.
The Port Authority of Las Palmas, for its part, is incorporating this innovative dimension into a broader strategy that includes updating services, improving the management of public domain, and strengthening environmental sustainability. The idea is that the Canary Islands' ports will not only be logistics hubs, but also spaces where new technologies are tested and validated. future energy solutions.
With the help of Next Generation European funds With institutional support, the marine renewable energy testbed aims to become a benchmark in the energy transition, both nationally and throughout the European Union, generating knowledge, skilled employment and opportunities for businesses linked to the blue economy.
All this activity surrounding the new test site in the Port of Las Palmas reflects how the combination of innovation, European funding and port planning It could open avenues for diversifying the economy and moving towards a cleaner energy model. If the project meets expectations, the port of Gran Canaria will strengthen its role as an open-air laboratory for marine renewable technologies, with a direct impact on transport, industry, and attracting specialized companies.
