The AquaWind Project, one of Europe’s most ambitious initiatives in sustainable offshore development, stood out at the European Maritime Days (EMD) 2025, held in Cork. Organised by the European Commission, the Cork City Council, and Ireland’s Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, the annual high-level event brought together over 1,200 stakeholders from across Europe’s marine and maritime sectors to shape the future of blue growth and ocean sustainability.
This year, AquaWind was featured prominently at the EU Stand, representing the only European project that integrates offshore wind energy and aquaculture on a single floating platform. The presence of AquaWind was led by a delegation of three Canarian institutions: the Canary Islands Agency for Research, Innovation and Information Society (ACIISI/GOBCAN), the Maritime Cluster of the Canary Islands, and Consulta Europa.
The project delegation featured three Canary Islands entities: ACIISI, the Canary Islands Maritime Cluster, and the consultancy firm Consulta Europa. Representing the Government of the Canary Islands were Javier Franco Hormiga, Director of ACIISI; María Antonia Moreno, Head of Unit at ACIISI; and Javier Roo Filgueira, R&D Project Manager. They were joined by Mónica Quesada, Project Manager at the Canary Islands Maritime Cluster, and Víctor R. Martínez, European Communication Officer at Consulta Europa.
One of the highlights came on 22 May, when European Commissioner for Oceans and Fisheries, Costas Kadis, presented the 8th edition of the EU Blue Economy Report at the institutional stand. The Canary Islands team also held meetings with representatives from several European Commission Directorates-General — including those for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, and for Research and Innovation — scheduling follow-up bilateral meetings in Brussels to advance specific actions in the archipelago. Additionally, the delegation met with the Mayor of Cork, Dan Boyle, in an encounter symbolising inter-island cooperation within the EU.
“AquaWind being represented within the EU Stand at such a prestigious event is a clear reflection of the value that the European Commission places on innovative projects emerging from island regions like the Canary Islands,” said Javier Franco Hormiga. “It gives us visibility not only at the European level but also reinforces our ecosystem of blue economy innovation, rooted in the Atlantic.”
AquaWind is a European project coordinated by the Government of the Canary Islands and co-funded by the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) under the Atlantic Maritime Strategy. The project is developing a pioneering floating prototype that integrates a wind turbine (W2Power) with facilities for sustainable aquaculture. These include tanks for fish farming and equipment to monitor water quality and fish health.
“We want to assess whether aquaculture and renewable energy can co-exist harmoniously in the same marine space, offering both environmental and economic benefits,” explained Javier Roo, project coordinator. “We are simulating real industrial operating conditions and tackling the same technical and regulatory challenges a commercial facility would face.”
Roo noted that AquaWind builds upon the Canary Islands’ longstanding experience in marine aquaculture. “For over 20 years, we’ve been consolidating the potential of offshore aquaculture along our coasts. It’s now a mature sector within the Blue Economy. The Canary Islands lead globally in diversification programmes, such as the cultivation of Greater Amberjack (Seriola) by the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC). Now we are taking a step further by integrating this with an emerging sector like floating offshore wind, applying cutting-edge technology and an ecosystem-based approach to address global challenges.”
The event programme included 24 workshops under six core themes: Coastal Communities, Maritime Security and Surveillance, Blue Energy, Enablers, Maritime Cooperation, and Food Security. Among them, AquaWind contributed to the session “The Role of Aquaculture in the Multi-Use of the Sea” on 23 May, where the project’s approach was debated in an open dialogue with stakeholders and experts. The session explored promising multi-use solutions, challenges to their implementation, and the needs of the aquaculture sector in an evolving blue economy landscape.
“Today more than ever, aquaculture is emerging as a strategic sector for food security and for the diversification and revitalisation of coastal economies,” said Roo. “Projects like AquaWind offer a more efficient and environmentally respectful model of marine space use.”
Meanwhile, Javier Franco underscored the strategic dimension of the initiative. “The Canary Islands are proving to be a key actor in the development of sustainable ocean solutions. Our insular character is not a limitation but an opportunity: we have unique conditions to lead this transformation.”
Speaking about the broader impact of the project, Javier Franco added, “Today’s presence at European Maritime Days allows us to showcase the Canary Islands’ leadership in blue economy research and development. Being surrounded by the Atlantic is not just a geographical fact—it is a strategic advantage. Projects like AquaWind offer us a gateway to the international stage, as we build stronger partnerships across Europe.”
The ACIISI Director also emphasised the strong understanding reached with Commissioner Kadis, a native of Cyprus. “We share a common vision on the role of island regions in blue innovation. AquaWind is proof that even from outermost regions, we can help steer Europe’s direction.”
With its participation in Cork, AquaWind strengthens its position as a flagship project within the emerging European blue economy paradigm, where sustainability, technological innovation, and regional cooperation converge.
For more information about AquaWind, visit: https://aquawindproject.eu