The idea of ??taking advantage of the wind resources facing the Gulf of Roses takes a new step forward. The Departament d’Acció Climàtica is promoting the construction of an experimental floating offshore wind platform in front of the Girona bay. It is a project that was born from the need to settle the clean energy deficits in Catalonia.
The Catalan Energy Research Institute (IREC), a consortium in which the Catalan Administration and other institutions are represented, today opens the period for interested companies to submit their proposals to participate in the project.
The objective of this initiative is twofold. On the one hand, the aim is to build a floating marine platform that will serve as a test laboratory to promote the advancement of wind energy at sea. And, on the other hand, it is a matter of checking and validating this type of wind energy in view of its possible impact on marine ecosystems. For this reason, environmental, climatic or biodiversity studies will be carried out.
The proposals known up to now to build a wind farm in front of Roses have clashed with some opponents, who have warned about the possible effects of this infrastructure. Therefore, a practical answer is now sought. “Now we will have a test field, which can help determine whether or not this damage occurs,” say sources from the Department of Climate Action.
The Minister Teresa Jordà already showed a few months ago her willingness to build a wind farm off the Catalan coast if social and economic participation in the project was guaranteed. And she now goes one step further by leading this initiative. In the IREC, in addition to the regional Administration and various universities, there are Endesa, Naturgy and Enagás.
The experimental floating marine platform will be located in front of Roses and l’Escala, between 16 and 24 kilometers from the coast, and will be located at one end of the area pre-selected as suitable according to the perimeter defined by the Maritime Space Management Plan ( POEM) that the Ministry for Ecological Transition is about to approve. The intention is for the activity to start before the end of 2025.
With the new equipment, it is intended to promote research in the field of offshore wind power in all its development phases. It also seeks the training of researchers and professionals linked to these fields, as well as experimenting with other energy technologies, such as tidal power.
The activities will take place in two phases. The first will focus on evaluating the materials and components in real marine conditions, as well as carrying out prototype tests and developing R&D actions: and the second phase will focus on the development of pre-commercial systems. The platform will have different areas to host activities and tests, and would add a power of 75 MW.
The area reserved for testing prototypes includes two energy production points with a power of up to 15 MW each. And the area reserved for pre-commercial technologies has been designed for long-term operation, and would have a maximum power of 45 MW.
All this includes both the development of advanced simulation models, monitoring, control, operation and maintenance through remotely operated vehicles, as well as the design of new anchoring systems to the seabed and floats. The platform will prepare environmental and biodiversity studies linked to the interaction of this type of infrastructure with the marine environment.
The initiative is subject to the approval of the Maritime Space Management Plan (POEM), pending the final green light from the Government. However, the new equipment would be compatible with the future commercial wind farm that can house these same waters (something that will require a public tender by the Administration to be awarded) and that, in any case, should pass its environmental evaluation.
The initial phase of the platform (Plemcat) will opt for the call opened by the Ministry for the Ecological Transition to obtain Next Generation funds for investment in pilot projects and test platforms and infrastructures for marine renewables. To kick off the project, IREC has opened the period to receive expressions of interest in using the capabilities and services of the platform.
In the area of ??the Gulf of Roses up to six companies have been interested in installing floating wind farms. The offshore wind demand is favored by the appearance of modern wind turbines that triple the power of windmills on land. The proposal for the Tramuntana wind farm, promoted by the companies Blue Float Energy and Sener in front of the Bay of Roses, incorporates 33 windmills of 15 MW (and with a total power of 500 MW), which will allow it to produce electrical energy equivalent to the consumption of 55% of the province of Girona
The Minister for Ecological Transition, Teresa Ribera, gave clues a few weeks ago about her intentions. “This is a space bordering on France –she said, referring to the Gulf of Roses–; and wind energy polygons are already being built there; It would be rare for this activity to be implemented in the neighboring country and there would be no coexistence with Spain due to its resignation, ”she said.
