Offshore floating wind power is one of the most promising renewable energies both in Catalonia and across the state. In this regard, the R&D&I Platform for Marine Energies of Catalonia (PLEMCAT), led by the Catalonia Institute for Energy Research (IREC), has emerged as one of the key initiatives to promote it. In this interview with the cluster, José Luis Domínguez, head of offshore wind research at IREC, discusses some of the challenges and opportunities associated with developing this technology in Catalonia, highlighting the short- and long-term economic and social impacts.

Why is floating offshore wind power being prioritized?

In Catalonia, as in the rest of the peninsula, we focus on floating offshore wind power because the depths of our seas are already significant (over 100 meters at less than 15 km from the coast). Floating wind power includes the turbine/wind generator, as with land-based wind power, but instead of a direct foundation on the seabed, it is anchored to the seafloor with a floater holding it up. These projects tend to be of high power, as the goal is always to minimize the need for evacuation infrastructure (electric cables) and reduce the impact on the territory. This way, fewer works are needed, and the process is optimized.

What impact could it have on Catalonia's energy transition?

If we review the POEM and PROENCAT2050 plans, floating offshore wind should contribute between 1 and 3 GW to the area, which represents a significant percentage of the electricity demand in the province of Girona, which currently has a large deficit. This would mark a major step forward for the energy transition in these regions.

PLEMCAT, led by IREC, will play a key role in this.

Yes, we are currently in the process of obtaining permits while also advancing the design and construction projects. We face a significant challenge, which is to be operational by 2026.

What is expected from the floating offshore wind prototypes to be installed there?

The goal of PLEMCAT is not only to install and test floating wind prototypes, though that is the most visible part; we are also equipping the area with sensors to collect climate, biological, and other data to identify the potential impacts of their deployment and also monitor climate change. Regarding the prototypes, we aim to validate their performance—ensuring they float properly, survive storms, and that no elements or components are subjected to higher loads than estimated during operation. Real-world performance under actual conditions allows for proper validation, identifying potential improvements, and minimizing risks. In summary, we expect to gain knowledge to accelerate the transition and make this technology a reality.

What are the main technical challenges of this technology?

The primary challenge is proving the maturity of the technology itself, as there are still very few real-world deployments globally, and many concepts are still under development. However, it’s worth noting that the Mediterranean offers excellent maritime conditions, with small waves and good wind. The only issue is depth, which increases sharply near the shore, requiring the technology to anchor the wind turbines at great depths.

Offshore wind power in Catalonia has great potential, but it has also sparked some controversy.

By definition, renewable energies serve as a tool for preserving the environment and local communities by helping combat the impacts of climate change, which is the environment’s greatest threat. But it’s also understandable that people have concerns about unfamiliar technologies, which can cause unease. This is why PLEMCAT is so important, as it seeks to provide information, knowledge, and certainty about the impacts of climate change and wind energy in the area. It’s also important to note that renewable projects must develop and comply with an environmental impact assessment (according to regulations), where potential impacts, mitigation measures (if there are any impacts), and environmental monitoring tools are analyzed. Regarding local communities, we must understand that to operate solely on renewable energy, we need more self-consumption installations but also large-scale generation projects. Rooftops alone cannot meet the demand of all the residents of a building, and we must replace existing gas plants, cogeneration plants, and nuclear power.

Do you think PLEMCAT’s arrival will facilitate the creation of wind and floating offshore wind projects in the area?

I can’t say whether it will make it easier, but it will certainly provide clarity and offer relevant information on aspects that need improvement or correction for its implementation in the region. The goal of PLEMCAT is to serve as a decision-making tool, fostering learning, improvement, and the ability to make recommendations.

What economic impact could offshore wind farms have on industry and employment in Catalonia?

Studies point to a significant impact. According to reports on the potential for offshore wind power deployment in the peninsula, we could be talking about over 5,000 jobs—3,000 direct and 2,500 indirect—just in Catalonia. Additionally, a value chain would need to be created for construction, maintenance, and operation, among other activities. This would lead to growth around this technology in development areas.

And this is still a technology with much development potential...

Currently, there are three demonstration parks in operation worldwide (in Portugal and Scotland); prototypes exist in France and Norway, and in Spain, in the Basque Country and the Canary Islands. As a developing technology, we are all learning from each other, but it’s important to note that Catalonia has a very high level of knowledge and innovation in this field.

What other projects are you working on in the area of floating offshore wind and other marine energy sources?

At IREC, we have been working on floating wind for a long time, focusing on techniques to optimize generation (getting more energy from parks), extending their useful life through digitization and advanced control, optimizing turbine locations, and improving floating wind anchoring systems. It’s also worth noting that at IREC, we have worked on wave technology control, analyzed potential locations, and are working on implementing floating marine solar energy technology, which presents interesting challenges due to the dynamics of waves impacting the modules.

Currently, wind power is one of the fastest-growing renewables. What is its ceiling in Catalonia?

Wind power must become one of the dominant generation sources, along with solar, in Catalonia. According to the PROENCAT2050 report, by 2050, Catalonia could have 25 GW of wind power capacity, which implies significant growth compared to the current scenario.

What is your outlook on the region’s ability to meet the renewable energy targets for 2030?

I believe we all need to row in the same direction. The region has the capacity and resources, but to achieve this, we need to agree and move forward. Currently, sometimes taking that first step seems complicated, as it involves transitioning from a known static situation to a dynamic one that may be different.