Spain launches floating solar platform that uses the sea to improve power output

A Spanish renewable energy company has taken a step closer to generating solar power at sea, after successfully launching the first platform of its PV-bos marine floating solar technology.

The platform, named Paiporta in tribute to the DANA storm victims, was designed by Tenerife-based BlueNewables. It entered the water at the facilities of the San Enrique shipyard in Vigo, Spain, on Monday, May 18, 2026.

Over the next few weeks, engineers are expected to complete commissioning and final preparations before towing the structure to Valencia. There, the platform will undergo operational validation in open-sea conditions

José Luis Torres, general manager of Astillero San Enrique, said that the shipyard is proud to stand behind a technology that could transform marine solar power and advance renewable energy worldwide. “The launch of the PV-bos represents a milestone of enormous significance both for Astillero San Enrique and for the maritime and energy industries as a whole,” he added.

A new offshore chapter

The PhotoVoltaic-BlueNewables Offshore Solutions system (PV-bos) was created specifically for deployment in offshore waters and port environments. It is set to overcome the growing competition for available land, a great challenge in solar energy expansion.

Bernardino Couñago, the firm’s co-founder and CEO, praised the potential of the solar platform. “The launch of the Paiporta platform placed BlueNewables among the world leaders in the marine floating solar and demonstrates the industrial and technological capabilities that exist in Galicia and Spain to lead innovative energy solutions internationally.”

Offshore floating solar installations can speed up the energy transition, by making use of underutilized marine areas. The technology could moreover support hybrid renewable energy projects.

According to the firm, these could potentially operate alongside floating offshore wind farms. In addition, shared infrastructure could maximize energy production from a single location.

The launch operation required a complex lifting maneuver using the shipyard’s large cranes to safely place the platform into the water. Couñago also thanked the shipyard’s workers, subcontractors, and the BlueNewables team for their efforts in bringing the project to completion.

Unlocking ocean energy

BlueNewables highlighted that the platform’s name pays tribute to the victims of the devastating DANA storm that struck Spain’s Valencian Community on October 29, 2024. It resulted in 223 fatalities and the displacement of 15,000 residents. The municipality of Paiporta became one of the disaster’s symbols.

The project also gave Spain’s shipbuilding industry a decent chance to enter the growing renewable energy sector. Torres stressed that the project demonstrates the shipbuilding sector’s ability to deliver innovative technologies and compete globally.

“The PV-bos is the result of the talent, experience and commitment of an extraordinary team that has succeeded in turning a pioneering concept into a tangible reality,” he continued in a press release. He added that the project strengthens the shipyard’s role in the renewable energy sector and supports its long-term growth strategy.

The project has received support from several Spanish institutions, including the Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving (IDAE) through the RENMARINAS program. It has also benefited from collaboration with SOERMAR and Astilleros San Enrique.