The Xunta de Galicia has signed a General Action Protocol with the Port Authority of A Coruña and Red Eléctrica de España to promote the first experimental offshore wind platform in the Community. This project arises from the work carried out within the framework of the Offshore Wind Observatory and will be one of the reference infrastructures of the Marine Energy and Energy Storage Innovation Hub on which the Galician Government is working.

The objective is to establish lines of cooperation that contribute to the adequate development of marine energy in Galicia based on respect, balance and compatibility with fishing activities and the preservation of the ecosystem.This platform will make it possible to test floating prototypes and carry out studies related to the marine environment and biodiversity. In addition to this unique infrastructure, it will also have an impact on generating scientific knowledge and carrying out research.

Galicia has one of Europe's main offshore wind resources, with the potential to become a reference point in this field, both from the point of view of energy generation and the development associated with floating offshore wind technology - and always on the premise of respect and compatibility with the rest of the activities that are already being carried out in the marine environment.

The president of the Xunta de Galicia, Alfonso Rueda, explained at the presentation of the project that the Community is exporting offshore wind turbine components to many European countries. This sector is particularly well developed in the region of Ferrolterra.

The experimental area of the first offshore wind platform will be located 10 kilometres off the coast, in front of the outer port of A Coruña, in Langosteira. It will have between two and three wind turbines, so it will be able to achieve a total power of 300MW and will require an investment of around 12 million euros.

The Langosteira facility will serve to boost the expansion of offshore wind power in Galicia, as it will allow floating prototype tests and studies related to the marine environment, in order to ensure its compatibility with the fishing activities that are already being carried out.

European funding

The Xunta expects to receive funding for this initiative from a number of European funding packages. On the one hand, there is the aid for pilot projects, test platforms and port infrastructures for marine renewable energies included in the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan. On the other hand, there are the funds for the Strategic Projects for the Recovery and Economic Transformation (Perte) of renewable energies, renewable hydrogen and storage.

The need for State commitment

To this end, the Xunta de Galicia needs commitment from the State Government, which is responsible for the design and approval of the maritime spatial plan (POEM), a vital roadmap without which no developer can proceed with an offshore wind project until the areas are defined.

The Galician government sees the development of offshore wind technology as an opportunity to make better use of Galicia's renewable potential, which would result in better positioning and improved competitiveness for Galician companies and industries and reinforce the activities that are already being carried out at sea.

At present, 74% of Galicia's energy production already comes from renewables. However, the goal set by the Galician government is to have 100%, so that by 2050 climate neutrality can be achieved.

The construction of the public plant is also in line with the Port Authority's strategy of orienting the port towards new technologies and forms of energy production. The plan includes the construction of another wind farm, a green hydrogen plant or biofuel installations in the area.