The Port of Valencia has become the testing site for Spain’s first pre-commercial offshore floating solar demonstrator, which has now been fully installed and entered its testing phase. The project has a combined capacity of 1 MW.
The installation comprises two 500-kW floating platforms developed by BlueNewables with the support of Naturgy. The platforms were built at the San Enrique shipyard in Vigo and named Paiporta and Catarroja, after two Valencian municipalities severely affected by the 2024 floods.
The testing programme will evaluate the platforms under real marine conditions, with particular attention to their operation, maintenance requirements and suitability for deployment in port environments. The project is intended to provide practical data on the performance of floating solar technology before any wider commercial application.
Floating photovoltaic systems could offer an additional source of renewable electricity in locations where available land is limited or costly. Ports and other coastal areas are among the potential applications being considered.
Over a two-year period, Naturgy and BlueNewables will exchange technical, operational and economic data from the project. The assessment will cover system performance, costs, maintenance and the experience gained during installation and operation.
The project remains at the demonstration stage, with its results expected to help determine the viability of floating solar technology for ports and other coastal locations.