Global OTEC, a pioneer in Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC), has completed the offshore installation of a floating platform prototype in the Canary Islands, marking a step toward commercialising ocean-based renewable energy.

Inspired by Jules Verne’s Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, OTEC generates electricity by harnessing the temperature difference between warm surface water and cold deep ocean water, offering a continuous, 24/7 renewable power source.

While OTEC has been demonstrated onshore for decades, offshore deployment is essential for achieving the scale required for commercial viability.

The Canary Islands installation addresses a long-standing industry challenge: the ability to reliably deploy and operate systems in deep ocean conditions.

A key milestone was the installation and connection of a 50-metre deep-water intake pipe, a technically complex component that has previously caused failures in similar projects, including past attempts in India.

The prototype is located at the Oceanic Platform of the Canary Islands (PLOCAN), a pre-consented offshore test site that enables real-world validation of performance and environmental impact.

The project is part of a €3.5 million ($4 million) European Union Horizon Europe programme led by Global OTEC and a pan-European consortium, advancing the technology from simulation and tank testing to full-scale ocean deployment.

A major innovation in the project is the use of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) for the deep-water intake pipe, supplied by partner AGRU, offering improved flexibility, durability, and resistance to harsh marine conditions compared to traditional materials.

This advancement also has broader applications for offshore energy systems, including industrial cooling and low-emission offshore operations.

“This is the moment where OTEC moves away from controlled environments into the real world,” said Dan Grech, Founder and CEO of Global OTEC. “Conventional onshore intake systems, while great resources for aquaculture and testing equipment, are low-capacity and expensive. Offshore, OTEC can scale in a modular approach that transitions OTEC from a niche concept into a deployable offshore power system. We now have a new class of standardised and replicable baseload power on a learning curve akin to wind, solar, and batteries.”

The project has also been selected by the DeepStar consortium, supported by major energy companies such as ExxonMobil, BP, and Chevron, to evaluate OTEC for powering remote offshore assets.

With offshore validation underway, Global OTEC now plans to deploy its first OTEC Power Module in Hawai’i, moving closer to establishing OTEC as a scalable clean energy solution for island and coastal regions. -OGN/ TradeArabia News Service