In 2022, Spain presented 45 offshore wind farm projects—an industry still under development despite the country’s vast wealth of seas and oceans. Although Spain is a global leader in onshore wind energy, offshore wind has experienced slower progress. To change this situation, in 2023 the government approved the Maritime Spatial Planning Plan (POEM), which regulates where the 45 new wind farms can be located.
Offshore wind energy takes advantage of the strong, consistent winds that occur in open seas, usually several kilometers from the coast. Unlike onshore wind farms, offshore wind farms have larger turbines and operate in an environment with fewer obstacles. Although they require greater investment and face logistical challenges, such as maintenance at sea, they offer higher energy output due to the steady and reliable wind conditions.
There are two types of offshore wind farms: those with fixed foundations, such as monopile or gravity-based structures, and those mounted on floating platforms—a developing technology that allows wind farms to be installed in deeper marine waters.
Spain is investing in offshore wind energy, especially floating wind, due to the geographical characteristics of its continental shelf. The 45 planned wind farm projects across various marine areas are expected to generate between 1 and 3 GW of power by 2030.
These projects add to initiatives such as the Mar de Canarias Wind Farm and the Gofio project in Gran Canaria, which stand out for their capacity to supply energy to thousands of homes. Despite the necessary investments and challenges related to environmental impact and construction complexity, offshore wind energy has great potential to transform Spain’s energy landscape and continue moving toward a more sustainable future.
At INKO21, we are actively involved in the development of offshore wind farms, providing high-quality solutions as suppliers of specialized lifting systems. Our wide range of electric and hydraulic winches, made from 316 stainless steel, is designed to withstand the extreme conditions of the marine environment. In addition, our line of davits is perfectly suited for offshore operations, ensuring reliability and performance at all times.
With our solutions, we contribute to the efficiency and safety of these projects, which are essential for the future of renewable energy in Spain.
